Baskets

So, when I originally signed up for the thesis class, I had my idea/story for a short comedy film about Flex the Clown - a washed up clown that never takes his clown suit off because it's a part of who he is. But then, I learned that Zach Galifianakis and Louis C.K. (two of the biggest comedy geniuses of our time) were working on an FX original called Baskets. Although, little to no plot information was given away in the advertisements, I knew it was about a clown that was trying to break into the clowning profession. Here's a poster from the show.



So anyways, I thought this was going to ruin my thesis idea. I didn't want to rip off the new show so I decided to scrap Flex the Clown and figure out a different idea.

But then, I finally decided to watch Baskets to see what it was all about. And although, I did enjoy the pilot episode, I also realized that it's a lot different than the story I had in mind for my thesis. Baskets is about Chip Baskets, who is passionate about being a clown. He struggles to pass clown school in France, but eventually, fails out because of a language barrier. Then, he returns home to get back on his feet.

If you're familiar with Louie C.K. and Zach Galifianakis' humor, then you know it contains a lot of painfully awkward and tragic situations. Baskets is just like that. And though I enjoyed the pilot I felt that Baskets failed to really capitalize on the actual "clown" aspect. In my thesis, I'm going to focus more on the "clowning" of the story.

It's Kind of a Funny Story

It's Kind of a Funny Story directed and written by the famous duo Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, is a story about a fifteen year old boy, Craig (Keir Gilchrist) from Brooklyn, New York. He is a junior in high school who goes to a high status high school. Craig is overwhelmed by the pressures of school, however he stops taking the medication that his psychiatrist prescribed. Eventually after realizing he cannot get rid of his suicidal thoughts he checks into a mental hospital. His initial thoughts were that he was just going to be talked to, get some therapy and then be sent home; however that is not the case he must stay there for at least a week. Craig is in with a variety of patients ranging in age from adulthood to teens. Bobby (Zach Galifianakis), another patient who has a young daughter, shows him around the hospital. He soon notices Noelle (Emma Roberts) who is around the same age as him, and has a history of sexual abuse. Craig becomes interested in her and as a result she helps him with his recovery. At the same time he tries to keep his friends from home from knowing what is going on with him. As part of his recovery he experiments with art and finds that he is very talented. Once he recovers it is suggested by his counselor that he transfer out of the school that has stressed him out and into an art school. In the end he is allowed to return home after having gone through a complete mental change.

I thought this movie was particularly well done. I liked that there are some well known actors in it, but not only that, the story is well done and really drives the movie along. The fact that Craig learns so much about himself in this psychiatric ward is important to the story, even though at first he does not think he will get anything out of this experience. He ends up making some good friends and understanding himself and others better as well.

References:

"Doogie Howser, M.D." (1989), "Cribs" (2000), "American Idol" (2002)