Funny People

Written & Directed by: Judd Apatow
Starring: Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Jason Schwartzman, Jonah Hill, Eric Bana

Rated R for language and crude sexual humor throughout, and some sexuality

George Simmons (Sandler) is an incredible famous comedian who is known for his crazy movies that feature his head on a baby?s body, or his body with a mermaid tail, or just him doing silly voices. He also likes to play guitar and has tons of celebrity friends. Ira Wright (Rogen) is a wanna-be stand up comedian/full time deli worker, who sleeps on the fold out couch of his TV ?star? friend Mark (Schwartzman) and their other up and coming comedian friend Leo (Hill).

Sadly, George finds out that he has a very rare blood disease that will more than likely kill him and decides to get back to his roots and hit the Improv spot to do good old fashioned stand-up. Leo and Ira are super psyched to see one of their comedy idols up close and personal but George?s crazy-sad act leaves them a little freaked out. Especially when George tries to run Ira over in the parking lot.

But a short while later George calls the boys and asks them if they?d like to do a little writing for his act. Ira accepts but declines on behalf of Leo (unbeknownst to him). Ira and George get a little work done, then Ira gets hired as George?s assistant. They hit the road and do a few well-paying acts here and there and George?s career starts to get back in stride.

Things get a little screwy when Ira suggests that George reach out to his friends and tell them that he is in fact, dying, because surely they?d be more support than he can be. George reluctantly obliges and even calls his long lost love Laura (Mann) despite the fact that she is married to Clarke (Bana).

Ok first things first. The title of this movie is very misleading. Previews even sort of show that this isn?t just a pee-your-pants funny type comedy. It should be more ?Funny People: Serious Shit? or ?Watching Funny People live real life?. Don?t get me wrong. I laughed throughout the whole movie. But it?s not like 40 Year Old Virgin or Knocked Up. Not even close. It?s more of a humorous drama... full of dick jokes.

Firstly, the movie is waaay long. And I think it was because it?s two movies trying to be one. There?s the movie with the mentor and the mentee. And then the movie about the guy who gets a second look at his life and tries to amend his mistakes. Either movie would have been very solid on its own, but the two together left for very drawn out story once Ira and George go to actually visit Laura and her family (note: Leslie Mann and Judd Apatow?s two daughters play ?Laura?s? daughters in the movie again. Just like in Knocked Up). It feel like they just totally moved in instead of a quick overnight visit.

That was really my only complaint with the movie, even though I couldn?t figure out George?s obsession with Ira?s penis. Now to the good.

On very first note I loved the soundtrack. Loved it! Turns out its some Lennon and Wilco (whom get plenty mention in the film). I loved Mark?s apartment and wanted every poster and record hung up. I loved Ira?s t-shirts. I loved the mock-up poster of Chris Rock dressed as Hendrix and every fake movie George Simmons was in. And it?s awesome that Apatow puts old home footage of Adam Sandler doing prank calls and stand-up in the scenes so you can establish how long this George Simmons has actually been around. And despite the glaring similiarties between ?George? and Sandler, it didn?t feel like he was just playing himself. Like I don?t buy that Adam Sandler is that much of a dick in real life. George is tired of being in stupid movies just to make money and isn?t really close to anyone. Sandler plays it well though.

Seth Rogen isn?t as Seth Rogen-y as he has been in every other movie. He?s more shy and quiet in this one instead of crude. He has the hots for Mark?s neighbor Daisy, (Aubrey Plaza) another comedian, but is too scared to make a move. He slimmed down a lot so Apatow puts in plenty jokes about that.

For some reason or another I never really saw how George and Laura were oh-so-deep in love but I think it?s just cause the George character is such a jerk you don?t know how he was close to anyone. Leslie Mann plays it well enough. She?s not as bitchy as she usually is. The other supporting cast does well too. And there?s a bazillion cameos in the movie. I loved it, even though everyone looks crazy old.

Overall I give this a B. I see where Apatow was trying to go with this and I?m sure on his next go round he?ll get the bulls-eye. Go see it?but not with any children within earshot, and when you don?t have too many other obligations for the rest of the day.