"You're not funny. You look funny, but you're not funny." [I could say the same thing to the movie]...( read more)ie, right? Of course, the problem with expectations is they occasionally lead to disappointment - and Funny People is disappointing on numerous levels. It has been suggested that this flick is the final entry in Judd Apatow's comic trilogy about sex (2005's The 40-Year-Old Virgin), birth (2007's Knocked Up) and now death (or at least the threat of death). In this regard, the movie is a blatant attempt on Apatow's part to display maturity as a filmmaker, and the product is more of a drama (an uncomfortable one at that) than a comedy. There's one crucial hindrance with Funny People: it's neither funny nor touching - it's grim. Even Apatow and Sandler devotees will find their attention spans challenged, as the film wears out its welcome long before the excessive 150-minute runtime has elapsed.
The drama-comedy Funny People is Judd Apatow's third outing as a writer-director, and it stars both Seth Rogen and Adam Sandler. This should be a funny mov
Central to the story is a comedian named George Simmons (Sandler). After spending his career making asinine comedy movies for the masses, George has become self-absorbed and emotionally stunted. Towards the beginning of the movie, he's diagnosed with a rare blood disease. Upon learning about his impending doom, George basically just continues to indulge in his usual self-centred activities (except with a much darker attitude) rather than embarking on some form of spiritual journey or attempting to right his past wrongs. George eventually stumbles upon a makeshift comedic soul mate in the form of struggling stand-up Ira Wright (Rogen); taking the inexperienced funny man into his life for jokes and companionship.
This is, however, just one half of the narrative. George pursuing his estranged early love Laura (Mann) constitutes the other half. The notion seems to be that Funny People is a two-hander between George and Ira, but George's story eventually overwhelms Ira's. By combining what should have remained two separate stories into one movie of extreme length, a lot of potential is wasted. The relationship between Ira and George was a self-contained narrative in itself, and the first half which explores this is quite entertaining. But instead of concentrating on this narrative thread, the film pursues something more hackneyed, with George trying to reconnect with Laura while Ida is held in reserve. Exploring the deep rituals of the comedy circuit would've also made the film far more compelling.
Judd Apatow's movies (even those he produces) are frequently crippled by their needlessly long runtimes and general self-indulgence. Funny People is no different - it meanders around a number of plotlines before seemingly ending at random; aware it has exhausted its audiences' tolerance for Apatow's trademark excess. Believe it or not, the running time of Funny People exceeds the extended editions of both The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up by around 10 minutes, and there's more that could have been added. Some connective tissue appears absent (like the explanation of why Laura, who is irritated and dismissive during earlier conversations with George, agrees to see him upon learning he's dying - and it's a mystery as to how she even finds out about his condition since there's no public announcement). Much like the films of Quentin Tarantino, Funny People is a movie in desperate need of discipline.
Disappointment is imminent on the comedy front. The stand-up sequences, with their poor lighting and an air of flop-sweat, admittedly possess an air of authenticity (the actors themselves even wrote their own material, and it was all filmed in front of a live crowd). But the on-stage routines aren't funny or in the least bit memorable. In fact, some of them are excruciatingly unfunny. Pretty much the only funny parts of the entire movie were shown in the trailers (maybe 5 or 6 lines in a 2½-hour movie), none of which are genuinely hysterical. Unfortunately, too, the dialogue never crackles with any wit. Funny People is an audacious movie that provides a few entertaining moments, but as a whole it's tragically flat.
Adam Sandler as George Simmons is a stroke of genius. The actor is in top form with this low-key performance, and this is perhaps the most lived-in work of his career. Sandler has already proved he's a capable dramatic actor (Punch-Drunk Love, Reign Over Me), and he flexes these chops capably here. Suitably, the character of George Simmons is a famous comedian who has long sacrificed his edge for awful movies made purely for money. With Sandler having starred in a number of awful movies made purely for the box office returns over recent years, it's clear he's having a little fun at the expense of his own career.
As with every Apatow movie, the cast gives the film a class-reunion sensibility, which makes the film a lot more fun for them than it is for an audience. As Ira Wright, a slimmed down Seth Rogen is in familiar territory; playing a poorly-masked version of his usual self. Leslie Mann (Apatow's wife) is also in familiar territory playing Laura, though she's still endearing. As Clarke, Laura's Australian husband, Eric Bana steals the show. Meanwhile the two offspring of Mann and Apatow play the children of Laura and Clarke, and Jason Schwartzman and the agonisingly unfunny Jonah Hill play Ira's wisecracking friends/roommates (a staple ingredient in Apatow films). A bunch of real celebrities (playing themselves) are given small cameos too, and they're fun to watch (Ray Romano's cameo is one of the film's most amusing moments).
In the case of Funny People, there's simply too much here for one movie. The plotting is unruly and flabby, as what seems to be a straightforward tale of morality and redemption becomes bogged down by unnecessary characters, formula and outright schmaltz. This isn't an inherently uninteresting or gruelling film (in fact the first hour is great), but the indefensible length turns a bold experiment into something that too often feels like an endurance contest.
Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann
Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen and Leslie Mann star in this seriously funny film from writer-director Judd Apatow (The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up). When famous comedian George Simmons (Sandler) is gi...( read more
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DVD Release Date: November 24, 2009
Stats: 18,551 reviews
Flixster Reviews (18,551)
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October 8, 2009"You're not funny. You look funny, but you're not funny." [I could say the same thing to the movie]
...( read more)
The drama-comedy Funny People is Judd Apatow's third outing as a writer-director, and it stars both Seth Rogen and Adam Sandler. This should be a funny mov -
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September 29, 2009This movie's title is misleading since there's nothing funny about these people. The "jokes" included in it are sexist comments that are disparaging to women and make the characters look like uneducated misogynists. The greatest part of the script is compiled of the word "fuck" a...( read more)
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September 16, 2009Wow another great turn for directed Judd Apstow with a great performance from adam sandler.Last time adam sandler was this good was in punch drunk love which was a while ago now.The story is great not taxing and show all trade marks of mr apatow that we so love from he's other fi...( read more)
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September 12, 2009The last two films that Apatow directed were amazing, usually everything he touches is a hit. This movie had a different direction continuing the serious tone that Apatow started grasping in Knocked Up. Adam Sandler in serious movies, or in any movie for that matter, is hit or ...( read more)
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November 6, 2009A pesar de que no soy muy adepto a Judd Apatow, ni a Adam Sandler, he de reconocer que esta pelicula no solamente resulta inteligente y bastante aguda, sino que ademas provoca varias carcajadas sin utilizar humor fisico ni ningun recurso soso. Muy recomendable, y Leslie Mann mejo...( read more)
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November 1, 2009Didn't provide the type of humor which made me laugh in the previous Apatow films. Yes, it's supposed to be a different comedy/tragedy/redemption-sort film, but it was hard to feel anything for the characters. Moreover, the penis and Jewish jokes were overkilled and they never st...( read more)
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November 1, 2009I was left quite disappointed, not on a par with other Apatow films. Adam Sandler's character is really unlikeable you can't even feel sorry for him, and it doesnt make sense why Rogen's character puts up with him. Eric Bana was however was brillant and hilarious. Had many good m...( read more)
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Critic Reviews
In its home stretch, Funny People's action drags so unnecessarily that it ... drains any impact from its refreshingly pragmatic view of second chances. full review
The film's sweet conclusion finally returns us to the world of funnyman camaraderie. By this time, though, we're wondering why we ever had to leave. full review
It's great that Apatow aimed for something more substantial than a disposable chucklefest. Too bad the film falls so short of the mark. full review
Funny People is an ambitious, misshapen picture that feels like two, maybe even three, separate movies uncomfortably jammed into one. full review
Funny People is a true brass ring effort, a reach for excellence that takes big risks. full review
Funny People nimbly intersperses humor and reflection. It is a rumination on mortality, fame and life choices, punctuated with Apatow's trademark raunchy humor. full review
The denizens of Judd Apatow's Funny People have been pulled every which way to fit a misshapen concept, yet they remain painfully unfunny, and consistently off-putting. full review
Apatow scores by crafting the film equivalent of a stand-up routine that encompasses the joy, pain, anger, loneliness and aching doubt that go into making an audience laugh. full review
Funny People turns out to be fairly predictable, and not so rough. In a thoroughly satisfying way. full review
Comments
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December 17, 2008First of all how does anyone HATE Adam Sandler, the guy is flat out hilarious just cause his movies don't get good ratings doesnt mean their really funny. His worst performances are Punch Drunk Love, Reign over me and Spanglish all not his role, but besides those he has a a whole slew of hilarious movies including his most recent movie Zohan (which many hated).
this guy is a straight up genius, and I'm really excited to see him paired with Seth Rogan and Jonah Hill.
His SNL skits are straight up out of the seats funny.
So for all those Sandler Haters out there, you should respect such a comedian icon.
this movie will be amazin! can't wait
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