Sadly, It’s Kind of a Funny Story is something of a letdown coming from dream writer/director team Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. Fleck became the envy of aspiring filmmakers everywhere after directing 2006’s Half Nelson, which chronicled the destructive forces of cocaine addiction with painful accuracy. Following the duo’s 2008 drug drama Sugar, It’s Kind of a Funny Story is a major change in direction.

Based on Ned Vizzini’s book of the same name, Story is a coming-of-age teen drama with Zach Galifianakis providing comic relief (except when he doesn’t). Craig (Keir Gilchrist) is all stressed-the-fuck-out (“It seems like everything is building up, and everyone else just seems to handle it, but not me”) and thinks he wants to commit suicide, but he’s not sure. Craig checks himself in to the emergency room at the local hospital, and shortly thereafter lands in Three North, the psych ward, where the adult patients are housed with the “teen” patients due to remodeling. He’s placed in a room with a nearly catatonic patient named Muqtada, who will only listen to Indian music.

Naturally, Craig realizes his mistake and wants out, but a stay at Three North is “a minimum five days.” Bobby (Galifianakis) is charged with giving Craig a tour of the ward, and they become fast friends. Soon a romantic interest named Noelle (Emma Roberts, vulnerable and charming) enters, and Craig begins learning all sorts of things about himself.

Overall, Story is a fine film, and a recommendable one (maybe wait for DVD if you’re low on funds). The story, if somewhat predictable, will make you feel good about humanity for a day or so. Galifianakis is likable even when he’s not being funny. But considering the parts here—Galifianakis as funnyman, Fleck and Boden as directors—you can’t help but wish the sum were more.