Sleepwalk With Me

This is one of those unassuming little indie US films that are usually a lot better than the dross at the multiplexes, and even though it's a comedy, I don't think there's a bodily function joke in sight. A few points in its favour already.

Lead character, Matt – played by co-writer and co-director Mike Birbiglia – starts the film by speaking directly to the cinema audience by telling them to turn off their phones, then relates a story of someone he sat near who'd answered their phone during the film and, well, I won't spoil the story. But again, a few more points in its favour. Turn off your goddamn phone in the cinema, people! Even that little glowing screen ruins people's experience.

Anyway, Matt is a comedian in a relationship with Abby (Six Feet Under's wonderful Lauren Ambrose), but even though she's great and they're heading towards the big M, he's obviously anxious about it. You can tell by the increasingly weird and dangerous sleepwalking bouts he's having (based on Birbiglia's own experiences). Matt goes on the road and as he starts mining his own relationship dilemmas for material, he gets better at his comedic craft.

Birbiglia makes for an affable enough lead guy, and there are short but memorable roles by comedy veteran Carol Kane, Kristen Schaal (Flight Of The Conchords), Wyatt Cenac (The Daily Show) and Alex Karpovsky (Girls).

In cinemas now.