Sleepwalk with Me Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A guy walks in his sleep, and also, his relationship is a mess, but mostly he just walks, like a confused zombie, but with jokes…sort of.

🍿 Sleepwalk with Me: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction: Matt’s Stalled Life

The film introduces Matt Pandamiglio, a bartender at a comedy club who aspires to be a stand-up comedian. He’s stuck in a long-term relationship with Abby, and faces mounting pressure to commit to marriage. Matt’s life is further complicated by the onset of severe sleepwalking episodes.

Comedy Career Takes Off

Matt begins to find success in comedy by drawing from his personal life, particularly his relationship anxieties. He starts touring, which creates a rift between him and Abby. His sleepwalking episodes become more frequent and dangerous, reflecting his mounting stress.

Relationship Strain and Personal Crisis

As Matt’s comedy career gains momentum, his relationship with Abby deteriorates. He struggles with the pressures of commitment and the conflict between his personal and professional life. A particularly severe sleepwalking incident forces Matt to confront his issues.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Matt (Mike Birbiglia): An aspiring stand-up comedian whose stalled career and fear of commitment lead to increasingly dangerous sleepwalking episodes.
• Abby (Lauren Ambrose): Matt’s supportive but increasingly frustrated girlfriend of eight years who desires marriage and a stable future.
• Frank (James Rebhorn): Matt’s unsympathetic and pragmatic father who pushes him to grow up and address his sleepwalking.
• Linda (Carol Kane): Matt’s loopy but well-meaning mother who pressures him to marry Abby.
• Janet (Cristin Milioti): A woman Matt meets on the road while doing comedy.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Matt: “I’m not going to get married until I’m sure that nothing else good can happen in my life.” – Matt says this backstage, revealing his fear of commitment and sparking the change in his comedy material.
• Matt: “Love is a mountain of pizza flavored ice cream…and delusion.” – Matt’s humorous definition of love, highlighting the complexity and sometimes irrational nature of relationships.
• Matt: “There is a jackal in here!” – One of Matt’s early, more absurd sleepwalking episodes, which wakes Abby up in the middle of the night.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $2,266,067
• Worldwide Gross: $2,266,067

💥 Sleepwalk with Me Reviews

Personal Review

I really connected with Matt’s anxieties about his career and relationship. The scene where he first starts incorporating his personal life into his stand-up was hilarious and cringeworthy at the same time. I loved the indie vibe and the honest portrayal of the struggles of becoming an adult. It definitely made me reflect on my own choices and fears, and I think that is what great art is supposed to do.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of independent films”
  • “Comedy enthusiasts”
  • “People who enjoy stories about relationships and self-discovery”
  • “Viewers interested in autobiographical narratives”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Some sexual content”
  • “Brief language”
  • “Themes of relationship conflict”
  • “Depiction of sleepwalking incidents”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Birbiglia crafts a relatable and humorous portrayal of a comedian’s struggle with career and commitment. The film’s strength lies in its honest depiction of relationships and the awkwardness of early stand-up gigs.
• IndieWire: “Sleepwalk With Me stands out for its authenticity and raw emotion. Birbiglia’s self-deprecating humor and the film’s indie charm make it a must-watch for fans of slice-of-life comedies.
• The New York Times: “The film’s low-key humor and relatable situations resonate, but the sleepwalking subplot feels somewhat disconnected from the main narrative. Still, Birbiglia’s performance is endearing and the supporting cast shines.

Audience Reactions

The relatable characters and honest storytelling struck a chord with viewers.: Audiences praised the film’s authenticity, humor, and the heartfelt portrayal of relationships.

The raw emotion and relatable anxieties made the movie very touching.: Viewers found the movie heartwarming and humorous and would rewatch it.

Overall Consensus: A charming and relatable indie comedy that resonates with its honest portrayal of relationships and the struggles of finding one’s way in life.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on Mike Birbiglia’s one-man show of the same name, which itself was based on his real-life experiences with REM Behavior Disorder and his early career in comedy.”
• “Ira Glass of ‘This American Life’ co-wrote and produced the film, bringing a narrative sensibility similar to the show’s storytelling style.”
• “Many of the comedians featured in the film are real-life friends and colleagues of Mike Birbiglia, adding to the authenticity of the comedy club scenes.”

🖥️ How to Watch Sleepwalk with Me?

Sleepwalk with Me is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for streaming availability. The film has also been released on DVD and Blu-ray.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Sleepwalk with Me, you might like these similar films:

• Frances Ha (2012): Both films explore the anxieties and uncertainties of young adulthood through a comedic lens, focusing on personal growth and relationship dynamics.
• Obvious Child (2014): Like ‘Sleepwalk with Me,’ it’s a character-driven indie comedy that tackles serious themes with humor and honesty, showcasing a relatable protagonist.
• Don’t Think Twice (2016): Another film centered around the life of comedians that delves into the world of improv comedy and the personal sacrifices made in pursuit of artistic dreams, mirroring themes of ambition and personal relationships.
• Inside Llewyn Davis (2013): Although set in a different era, both movies capture the struggles of an artist trying to make it in their respective field and the impact it has on their personal lives.

🛒 Sleepwalk with Me Related Products

• Sleepwalk with Me: Stories from My Life in Stand-Up: Mike Birbiglia’s hilarious and insightful memoir, which inspired the film, offers a deeper dive into his personal experiences.
• Mike Birbiglia: My Girlfriend’s Boyfriend [DVD]: Mike Birbiglia’s critically acclaimed stand-up special provides more of his signature storytelling and relatable humor.
• Sleep Mask: A silk sleep mask promotes relaxation and blocks out light, perfect for creating a comfortable sleep environment and preventing sleepwalking episodes.
• The New One: Painfully True Stories from a Reluctant Dad by Mike Birbiglia: The New One is a story that is hilarious and moving, and that perfectly captures the essential themes of adulthood: the joys and the terrors and the diapers.

🎧 Soundtrack

Sleepwalk with Me features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Piano Fumble” – performed by Oliver Davis
• “Unknown” – performed by Loudon Wainwright III

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

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