Movie Review - 'Funny People'

Funny People Starring Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, and Leslie Mann Directed by Judd Apatow Rated R

Judd Apatow looks for humor in situations that are the opposite of funny. Some of the greatest comics and writers who have ever lived have done the same thing. Maybe because it's harder or maybe because the laughs are more rewarding. But a story about an average guy who has no love or acquaintances in his life and is therefore still a virgin at the age of 40 isn't funny, at least not to that guy. And a woman who makes a drunken mistake and gets pregnant isn't funny, either. It's regrettable. With Funny People, Apatow explores the life of a man who learns he's dying of leukemia, and worse, that he has no friends or loved ones to console and comfort him. Ha ha. To our surprise, these stories, all of which are original and deeply personal to the characters at their centers, are funny. So if nothing else, Judd Apatow has earned our respect for not taking the easiest road available to him. And you see it within The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, and now here. He knows how to create instantly memorable characters and writes great dialogue. But the key to Apatow's films are always the stories, not the jokes. Funny People is the most introspective of the three; death has a way of doing that to a movie. Comedian George Simmons (Adam Sandler) is one of the biggest movie stars in the world. But he's alone. He has sex with women, admits they're probably disappointed when it's over, and then sleeps alone. George's doctor tells him he has AML, a rare form of leukemia, and the man with millions of fans has nobody to share the news with. After seeing struggling stand-up Ira Wright (Seth Rogen) at the Improv, George calls him up for a batch of jokes for a well-paying corporate gig, and then as much by accident as out of necessity, George and Ira become friends. Or friendly. But Ira encourages George to tell someone else about his very private condition, which opens the door for an old flame (Leslie Mann). That description could just as easily be used for a drama, and make no mistake, there are some dark moments in Funny People. Fortunately, Apatow has populated his film with comedians, which takes the edge off of things fairly regularly. I don't know if it's ever as funny as the best moments in Virgin, but it has more to say. It's more mature. It's a better film as the nuts and bolts go. I have had the same problem, however, with all three of Apatow's movies: They're too long. Funny People is about two-and-a-quarter hours, and the ten to fifteen to twenty minute section it doesn't need is equally apparent as it's unfolding and in the final analysis. The trouble is, Apatow has gone to great lengths to create a more thorough story, which I appreciate, but there is definitely part of this movie that lets down the rest. The exceedingly good news is not just that Apatow shows real craftsmanship as a director to bolster his writing, but also that Adam Sandler is terrific. For the first time, I think a movie needed more of him. George Simmons is a lot like Sandler, professionally speaking, and he and Apatow were roommates about 20 years ago when they were both starting out. Both of those things serve his portrayal well, but there is still a lot he projects here that I don't think we've seen. At least not at of it put together in one movie. Because Funny People is Apatow's strongest story, I'm more forgiving of the extra time. Apatow's wife, Leslie Mann, also gives her best performance that I can recall. And for a comedy, it's a bit of a downer. So don't go in thinking it's just a comedy.

Comments

[Brandon M. Sergent]

Best performance ever? (so said your twitter) Better than punch drunk? Seriously? I'll be forced to watch this it seems.

[Get The Big Picture]

I didn't like Punch-Drunk at all, and he was the primary reason why. Nothing worse than a guy who is forcing himself to act. Too easy to spot the mechanism in that one.

[spluftin]

I just saw it tonight, I thought it was pretty good. Just wish I had time to have read your review before hand so I could have gone in thinking it wasn't really so much a comedy. After the first 45 mins and waiting, I realized I can't be waiting for it to get funnier cause it's just not gonna. Had to switch my brain over thinking that it was a drama and I started to enjoy it again. Weird how that works.
And I'm probably gonna have to agree with it being one of Leslie Mann's best performances. I never disliked her, but she wasn't ever someone who stood out too much.

[Carv]

Respectfully submitted for Academy consideration: Adam Sandler and Leslie Mann. And I mean that. The movie is at least half an hour too long, but I found much in it to relate to and admire.

[Glenn]

It is a full on comedy movie.Adam Sandler is simply amazing.Jason Schwartzman, the music composer of the film, dons the role of a television celebrity on a sham show ‘Yo Teach’.For more wallpapers, trailers refer Funny People