Don't Think Twice

Writer-director-actor and standup comic Mike Birbiglia's Don't Think Twice centers on a six-member improv troupe called the Commune who face internal stress and possible dissolution following the sale of the small venue where it has operated for years. Meanwhile, talent scouts for a TV show hire one member, ambitious Jack (Keegan-Michael Key), which disrupts the collaborative spirit, especially since another member, Samantha (Gillian Jacobs), is also Jack's partner at home as well as onstage. Most affected of all, however, is Commune leader Miles (Birbiglia), who has watched from the sidelines as several of the comics he mentored went on to bigger things, leaving him with decreasing hopes that his own break will ever come. Like the others, Miles hopes that Jack will not only drop by occasionally to lend his star wattage, but will also share samples of their writing with the TV program's head honcho with the aim of being hired themselves. Of course, the chance of that happening is slight, and the only bright spot for Miles comes with the sudden appearance of a high-school classmate who promises possible romance. Don't Think Twice effectively captures the feeling of improv through scenes of the group tossing lines to one another to keep the rhythm alive as the camera whirls around them, highlighting the risky nature of the enterprise. And the performers are all likable, even when they occasionally do unsympathetic things. Recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include the behind-the-scenes segments “The Commune” (7 min.), “The Creative Team” (5 min.), and “Don't Think Twice: The Art of Improv” (3 min.), deleted scenes (3 min.), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are bonus DVD, digital, and UltraViolet copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for an engaging film about the stressful side of standup comedy.] (F. Swietek)