That Rachel Sennott is so hot at SxSW right now! One of the breakout stars of the festival this year, Rachel was in two movies at the festival including BOTTOMS (a reaction is coming soon to this site) along with this Canadian feature I USED TO BE FUNNY filmed in and around the Toronto area.
ABOUT: “I Used To Be Funny” is a dark dramedy that follows Sam Cowell (Rachel Sennott), an aspiring stand-up comedian and au pair struggling with PTSD, as she decides whether or not to join the search for Brooke (Olga Petsa), a missing teenage girl she used to nanny. The story exists between the present, where Sam tries to recover from her trauma and get back on stage, and the past, where memories of Brooke make it harder and harder to ignore the petulant teen’s sudden disappearance. Writer/director Ally Pankiw’s debut feature is both funny and heartbreaking in its honest and refreshing look at trauma and recovery, and how they affect the relationships and communities that shape us.
Jason’s Reaction: Coming off as a bit more serious than I expected, I USED TO BE FUNNY is more about the PTSD and sadness of Sam who had a relationship, was doing pretty well as a comic and is dealing with a lot of internal struggle and especially when trying to help a younger girl who is reported to be lost. Filmed in and around the Toronto and Niagara Falls area in Ontario, this VERY Canadian feature is poised to make a huge star out of Rachel Sennott, who has that incredible charm, sarcasm and wise way about her that has really worked for ever since seeing her in SHIVA BABY as well as the recent BOTTOMS. She is matched by a good Toronto based cast including Jason Jones (who was on THE DAILY SHOW many years ago and also in many Canadian movies and shows) as well as a very lived-in look and feel by filmmaker Ally Pankaw. I can see this having a small to limited release and having a good audience when released on streaming and digital. In Canada this is coming out through LevelFilm so I expect we will be covering this one more upon release.
I USED TO BE FUNNY is screening at SxSW and keep an eye on the official site for more details. A HUGE thanks to Angie Power at Route 504 for assistance with this reaction.