Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

Don't Think Twice Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman December 2, 2016

Just go with it. Don't Think Twice is the perfect title for a movie about an improv troupe and how each member conducts his or her comedy business up on the stage, but it's also a title that supports the deeper core themes beyond the comings-and-goings of one of New York's most talented comedic teams. The film, from Writer/Director/Actor Mike Birbiglia, looks at how life's best-laid plans aren't always life's best route to personal satisfaction and success. It's about how the biggest spotlight isn't always where the biggest reward lies. What works for one may not work for another. "Don't think twice" seems like sage advice indeed. Or maybe "don't fret" or "don't look back" or "don't hold grudges" or "don't give in to envy or jealousy" or "don't be anyone but yourself." It's a terrific film, well versed in its comedic wares but much more importantly well versed in the human condition and how its primary players look at and maneuver through life both collectively and individually.

One of New York's hottest improv groups calls itself "The Commune." The troupe is well established and really quite good at what they do. But they dream of more. There's a TV show called "Weekend Live" that brings together the city's best talent, and they all believe they're good enough to win a spot on the show. One day, word gets through that a scout is coming to their performance. Jack (Keegan-Michael Key), against the wishes of his fellow cast, does what he can to stand apart from the rest. He and his girlfriend Sam (Gillian Jacobs) earn an audition. He nails it. She's too scared to even go. Jack's success and departure puts a strain on the group that leaves the remaining members questioning their dreams, trying to rediscover their futures, and even turning a little on-edge with one another as jealousy of Jack's success raises tensions and threatens to destroy all they've ever loved, including their heretofore deep, unbreakable friendship.

Don't Think Twice is a fine little slice-of-life film and one of the better sort of under-the-radar movies of the year. It's an extremely well done piece on friendship, career, life's trials, acceptance, success, failure, and what it means to live for, find, miss, or even dismiss the dream. It can be funny and at the same time uncomfortable, touching, and heartfelt. If it's anything it's fresh and honest, a movie with which many may not be able to relate on its surface but that welcomes any and all comers with open arms to explore and understand what it has to say right below the surface. The film's real-life concepts are explored smartly and effortlessly, and with a bit of humor mixed in too, but the movie isn't about the jokes. It's about the people who make them, who use humor as a collective outlet, an inspiration, and a hope for something more, but who come to realize that life is more -- much more -- than just living for the plan. The movie says that the future may not be what has been predetermined but rather something else entirely. And guess what, the movie says, that's just fine and everything will be OK.

The movie feels much like its title, too. Certainly it's been carefully composed and put together with a professional and at least semi-preplanned feel to its story and technical details that are obvious, but not too obvious. The film does a great job of feeling organic, particularly in its performances. Birbiglia smartly allows the cast and the narrative to control the movie, largely relegating directorial duties to sufficiently capturing the moment, maybe reinforcing it a tiny bit, rather than dominating it. The movie often feels more like a stage production than it does a motion picture, comfortable in its simplicities, energetic with its performances, and capable of carrying the narrative without any serious pomp and circumstance. Birbiglia is terrific in every duty on the film, and that he plays the guy who is most fundamentally, and for much of the film negatively, affected by Jack's success only seems to reinforce his true abilities as a storyteller and performer, shaping the narrative's ups and downs while taking on what is, arguably, the most challenging role in the movie, too. Chris Gethard is terrific as Bill, playing the character carrying the most emotional baggage and representing the movie's greater themes of humanism and dealing with what life has in store in the subplot surrounding his ailing father's health.

Don't Think Twice Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Don't Think Twice features a fundamentally sound 1080p transfer. It's nothing spectacular or remarkable, just a good, base image from a digital source. Detail is fine. Whether urban textures, basic facial complexities, fabrics, or even some scuffs on the stage, there's no shortage of well defined high definition textural enjoyment to be found. Colors are largely beautiful and neutral, never appearing overly saturated or underperforming in any way. Clothes are appropriately rich and contrast nicely with some duller urban grays and flatter tones around the film's backgrounds. Black levels hold up nice and flesh tones appear natural. Very light noise may be seen sprinkled throughout but no other problematic source issues are apparent. The movie isn't a looker by its nature, but its Blu-ray handles its wares very well.

Don't Think Twice Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

As is the case with Don't Think Twice's video component, its audio is very straightforward but effectively presented on Blu-ray. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack handles some little atmospherics well enough. Scattered throughout the movie, and presented with a balanced surround presence, are things like din at a bar, applause at a performance, city traffic, sirens, and sounds of construction. Pop music stretches widely across the stage in one scene and some bass-heavy beats deliver a satisfying low end wallop a bit later. Otherwise, the track is mostly about dialogue. It's always well prioritized, clear, and naturally positioned in the center channel.

Don't Think Twice Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Don't Think Twice contains a few featurettes and deleted scenes. A DVD copy of the film and a voucher for a UV/iTunes digital copy are included with purchase.

• Improv: Deleted Scenes (1080p, 2:56): Additional moments with The Commune.
• The Creative Team (1080p, 5:09): A quick look at the movie's style, Miranda Bailey's attachment, Mike Birbiglia's work as director, cast and crew camaraderie, and plot and themes.
• Don't Think Twice: The Art of Improv (1080p, 3:09): The cast discusses the details of the improv art.
• The Commune (1080p, 6:43): A character and plot overview.

Don't Think Twice Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Don't Think Twice is a great little film. Entertaining on its surface, purposeful just below, populated by a well defined collection of characters, supported by strong performances, and smartly and efficiently directed, it's a film that should speak to all audiences on its message about life's plans, dreams, and how they might not work out but may ultimately lead to something better. Universal's Blu-ray is of a good quality. Video and audio are fine and a few nice little extras are included. Enthusiastically recommended.