Title: I Used to Be Funny
MPA Rating: Not Rated
Director: Ally Pankiw
Starring: Rachel Sennott, Olga Petsa, Jason Jones
Runtime: 1 hr 45 mins

What It Is: Sam (Sennott), a stand-up comedian, is also struggling with severe PTSD caused by a sexual assault. When her former charge, young Brooke, goes missing, Sam is determined to find out what happened to her. The only problem is that Brooke is no longer speaking to Sam due to some unresolved issues between them. On top of that, the comedian-turned-nanny can’t find the strength to return to the stage and do what she loves. Will she ever be okay?

What We Think: Rachel Sennott continues to deliver performances that place her at or near the top of the list of talented young actors. With every film, I see her skills expand, but one aspect that has always been evident is her comedic timing. Although this film primarily stretches her dramatic muscles, we know from past experience that her comedic skills are also exceptional. Ally Pankiw has crafted a frustrating yet beautiful piece that focuses on the true aftereffects of sexual assault—the invisible scars it leaves and the fragment of a person one becomes. It explores how these fragments must coalesce day by day to form a semblance of a person simply trying to reach the daily finish line. In this context, Sennott’s performance is laid bare, and we, as the audience, are able to truly appreciate it.

Our Grade: A-, Going into this, given the film’s name and its primary actor, I expected something mostly funny with a hint of darkness. I actually prefer what it turned out to be. It offers a bleak glimpse into the darkest aspects of human experience. Within that darkness, there’s a light that only emerges when the script—and Rachel Sennott—makes us earn it. Thankfully, she does just that, and when Sam triumphs, we do too, feeling our victories in full. This is a film worth watching, but be aware that it includes themes of sexual assault, so a trigger warning is necessary for those sensitive to that kind of violence.