From co-writer/directors Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck, the husband and wife team who gave us Half Nelson and the remarkable, under-appreciated Sugar. Since the trailer lays out the situation so clearly and economically the official synopsis isn’t really necessary, but it’s included after the cut as an easy way to name the cast.
The comedy-drama has been adapted from Ned Vizzini’s 2006 novel of the same name; 16-year-old Craig (Keir Gilchrist of United States of Tara), stressed out from the demands of being a teenager, checks himself into a mental health clinic. There he learns that the youth ward is closed – and finds himself stuck in the adult ward. One of the patients, Bobby (Zach Galifianakis of The Hangover), soon becomes both Craig’s mentor and protégé. Craig is also quickly drawn to another 16-year-old, Noelle (Emma Roberts). With a minimum five days’ stay imposed on him, Craig is sustained by friendships on both the inside and the outside as he learns more about life, love, and the pressures of growing up. Academy Award nominee Viola Davis (Doubt) plays Dr. Minerva, the adult ward’s staff psychiatrist; Zoe Kravitz (The Brave One) portrays Nia, Craig’s longtime crush; Aasif Mandvi (The Proposal) is cast as Dr. Mahmoud, a hospital psychiatrist; and Lauren Graham (Parenthood) and Jim Gaffigan (of Focus’ Away We Go) play Craig’s parents, Lynn and George.