I’m a huge Judd Apatow fan. I’ve been following his career since Freaks and Geeks so when he hit the big time with 40 Year Old Virgin I made a point to follow the rest of his progression into Hollywood stardom. Well, Judd’s latest flick Funny People hit theaters this weekend and did not disappoint. If you haven’t read a synopsis of the film, I’ll try and break it down quickly so I don’t waste too much of your time before the review. Adam Sandler plays George Simmons, a Hollywood comedian who gets diagnosed with a fatal and rare blood disease. Upon hearing the news, George hires a new assistant Ira (played by Seth Rogen) to help him write jokes – but behind the funnyman is a lonely and depressed individual. Half way through the flick it turns out that George’s disease simply vanishes and the remainder follows George’s new look on life.
So now that we’re all on the same page here I’ll get right into it. First of all, Funny People isn’t a “comedy.” Sure the cast could rival SNL, but the the story isn’t really about the comedy – its about the comedians. It’s widely understood that comedians do what they do because they are some how damaged inside and Funny People explores this to its deepest crevices. Judd Apatow knows how to play to this type of story where he’ll take a serious, sometimes depressing concept like death and loneliness and insert the funny. But it never comes off simply as someone dropping a penis joke whenever things get serious. Apatow’s story combined with Rogen and Sandler’s timing make this film what it is.
In retrospect the story is one of the most depressing I’ve experienced this year. Focused on the lonely life of a Hollywood star, it really takes the audience through the real life situations. Examples would be George having to take photos with fans right after learning of his disease, the fact that George has difficulty sleeping without people talking around him and how his emotions can veer to one side at any time. For all of the adult conversations and adult situations, George Simmons is nothing more than a child at heart. But the sadness doesn’t really stop at the loneliness, especially when Laura comes into the picture. I won’t spoil it too much of this for readers, but Funny People takes audiences on a ride from buddy comedy, to depressing introverted living, to family drama and back again.
The cast is absolutely wonderful. I think Apatow actually waited until he gained enough clout in Hollywood before he pitched this project because it really does contain one of the strongest casts this year. It might not have any Oscar winners, but the people know the characters they play. From a dramatic standpoint, this is Adam Sandler’s best role – hands down. Although he basically plays a version of himself, his portrayal of the tortured comedian is brilliant, sympathetic and terrible all in a good way. His natural ability for stand-up comedy really comes forth and Apatow’s choice to include a lot Sandler’s early work was a great way to show who the man is. Seth Rogen is also in one of his strongest roles and could rival his performance in Knocked Up. Rogen plays a struggling comedian looking for a break when his character is approached by Simmons to write some jokes. But Rogen really stretched himself in this flick as he shows that there is much more to a “buddy,” than simply playing wingman. His character Ira is an honest, hilarious and real portrayal of a young comedian from our generation. The remainder of the cast is simply amazing with Leslie Mann, Eric Bana, Jonah Hill and Jason Schwartzman.
The gags throughout are also extremely entertaining. From the mock NBC teen show Yo Teach, to Eminem’s amazing monologue, Apatow’s paced his film very well. At no point do you feel as though Funny People is a comedy or a drama – it really is neither.
I would give Funny People a solid 8 of 10 penguins on the flightless bird scale. I would have skewed higher, but the film runs for 2 hours and 18 minutes and by the end, your ass will feel it. If possible, catch an early show because this flick is one you’ll want to chat about afterward with your friends.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
I saw this film on the weekend and really enjoyed it as well. It rang quite true overall – and the over-the-top films Adam Sandler’s character’s appears in (”Mer-man”, “Re-Do”) as well as the trite “Yo Teach” were so much like the painful “comedies” out there that they were hilarious and at the same time cringe-inducing.
August 4th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
definitely been waiting for this film to come out. the cast list looks great. How was Aziz Ansari in it?
August 5th, 2009 at 7:36 am
You mean RRRAAAANNNNDDYYYYYYYY!!!!
He was good. Small part, but good overall.
August 5th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
yah hahahaha. the comedian with the dj. he did a 15 – 20 min bit of RRRRRRAAAAAANNNNNDDDYYYYY at Sasquatch and it was pretty hilarious.