Funny People

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Funny People

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Funny People

Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Eric Bana, Jonah Hill

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  read more... )ven a second chance at a new beginning, he and his assistant, a struggling comedian, Ira (Rogen), return to the places and people that matter most…including the stand-up spots that gave him his start and the girl that got away (Mann). Co-starring Jonah Hill, Eric Bana and Jason Schwartzman, it’s the film critics cheer is “uproariously funny!” (Sonny Bunch, The Washington Times)

Id: 11039447

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Funny People Recent Reviews
  • thefog1331
    December 6, 2009
    thefog1331
    I watched the unrated version which is obscenely long--2hrs 33min and didn't mind it at bit. More humorous than outright funny but the whole cast pulls their weight and makes another winner in my book.
    Hell I even enjoyed the music which is a rarity for me and comedies.
    Like th...( read more)e rest of Apatow's stuff I will be buying this one too.
  • YLOWBSTARDreturns
    December 1, 2009
    YLOWBSTARDreturns
    Apatow's most restrained film to date is also his most accomplished and heartfelt. This is a great film (equal parts drama and comedy) with Adam Sandler in a career best performance that I just hope isn't forgotten this awards season (Hint: He will be).

    Yes, there are too man...( read more)y dick jokes, but those can be forgiven due to how strong this film is!
  • johnd62
    December 1, 2009
    johnd62
    Its strange to imagine how a film would have done had it been released in a different time. For example "Funny People" seems like one of those character pieces that would have been huge in the late 60s and early 70s but in modern times got lost somewhere between Transformers and ...( read more)G.I Joe with audiences.
    Which a shame considering its easily the riskiest and most personal film from either Sandler or Apatow and they do a solid job with the material... for the first hour and 45 minutes.
    I'll start with the good in saying that Adam Sandler has never been better as an actor. While you never actually like George Simmons per say (Dude's an *ssh*le simply put.) he's always compelling, complex and feel for a guy who has everything but absolutely nothing at the same time. Also Seth Rogen shows that he can do more then chubby, lovable stoner, trying to balance an overwhelming amount of
    Not to say that there is anything that seems dated about the film but its tragic to think that something this personal and mature gets ignored.
    Which is a shame, while "Funny People" isn't the best work from Apatow but if its any indication of the future, his glory days are right around the corner.
  • Camus123
    November 30, 2009
    Camus123
    Very impressive foray into more serious material Judd Apatow hits home with this tale of a man besieged by his own choices in life. Having forgotten where he came from reknowned comedian George Simmons (Sandler) begins to allow his darker self (exacerbated by terminal illness) t...( read more)o seep into his comedy. He finds himself completely out of touch with "the common man." He takes on Ira (Rogen) as his assistant to help him write jokes, but the true nature of the relationship is far deeper.
    This is the story of a man who is desperately trying to connect with himself and in doing so connect with humanity...if he can find his own.
    This is a "Dramedy." There are some very funny moments, good jokes, and a lot of the racy stuff we expect from Apatow, but once again he infuses it with that wonderful sense of being in touch with people and who they really are and how they really speak. We aren't just bombarded with jokes we are asked to look at selfish and selflessness and what it takes to find the self once it has been lost.
    Very well done and forgiven for some of its foibles in loose plotlines this movie brings it home and feels just right in delivering exactly what it sets out to deliver.
  • DrZeek
    November 29, 2009
    DrZeek
    Dr. Lars: It's too early to know who's winning the fight: the medicine or the disease.
    George Simmons: Did anybody ever tell you, you have a very scary accent?

    In this third movie from writer/director Judd Apatow, Adam Sandler stars as George Simmons, a successful comedian d...( read more)iagnosed with a disease he may die from. Trying to get back to his roots in the stand up circuit, he becomes more overcome with sickness but witnesses a stand up act from up and comer Ira, played by Seth Rogen. George takes a liking of sorts to him, and decides to hire Ira as an assistant. Along with assistant duties, Ira is hired to help write jokes for George and is also the only one made aware of his sickness.

    George Simmons: Does your act just design to make sure no girl will ever sleep with you?

    This is the setup for the first half of the story, the rest of the story largely revolves around George's attempts to make up with his long lost true love, Laura, played by Leslie Mann, who is now married to Eric Bana and has children.

    During all of this, Ira slowly gains more experience as a comedian, while working for George as well as living with his roommates played by Jonah Hill as a fellow stand up and Jason Schwartzman as the lead in a successful but shitty sitcom. Ira is forced to deal with the responsibility of being one of the only people close to George, as well as working at his own career and life.

    Mark: Don't put me in this position where I have to fuck my way out of a corner!
    Leo: He'll do it too. I've seen him.

    I'll get to the main point that is going to be brought up about this film - its run time, pacing, and ability to work as a dramedy. At two and a half hours, the film is long, with a third act that really stretches its legs. And the film certainly isn't a pure comedy as other Apatow works have been. Knowing all this before hand, I wasn't bothered at all by this. The film certainly fits a tone that relates itself more with films like As Good As It Gets and Sideways. The Sandler character is faced with a dilemma and its dealt with in a way that doesn't lend itself to non-stop comedy.

    All this being said, the laughs in that are had in this film are big ones. The characters in Apatow films have a knack for conveying honest chemistry that works when everyone is bouncing off hilarious lines of dialog with each other. It certainly helps that the portrayal of characters in a world of comedians means that a number of cameos will creep in and one particular scene is certainly a comedic highlight.

    Ira Wright: Do you ever get tired of singing the same songs, you know, over and over?
    James Taylor: Do you ever get tired of talking about your dick?

    Now, beyond the story, what got me excited about this film was the chance to see Sandler riff with the cast of this film, getting back into the R rated world and playing a real type person. Not only does Sandler fit right in, but his performance here rivals Punch Drunk Love as his best work as an actor. George Simmons is a character with many flaws that come as a result of his fame and life as a comedian. The man is lonely but also a jerk and the film manages to go through a number of ways to show us all that is George.

    George Simmons: You're my best friend, and I don't even like you.

    Seth Rogan also manages to step it up a little. Not just working as the stoner/slacker guy, here he has lost a noticeable amount of weight, tones down the general attitude he has had in the past, and plays up a much more sympathetic side of this character. He also manages to be very funny throughout.

    George Simmons: I know you want the Mer-Man poster.
    Ira Wright: I liked Mer-Man.
    George Simmons: You and five year olds like Mer-Man.
    Ira Wright: Smart movie.

    The rest of the cast in general are all very good. Leslie Mann usually irritates me with her characters, despite being acceptably funny, but here I actually liked her much more than normal. Jason Schwartzman also gets credit for being flat out hilarious every time he is on screen. He plays the perfect kind of asshole friend to Rogen's character and it works for a number of reasons due to how Schwartzman handles the character. And I also have to point out the small work from Aubrey Plaza as a female stand up Ira has a crush on and RZA as one of Ira's work friends, because I enjoyed them both as well.

    For some reason, this film hired out Spielberg's cinematographer, Janusz Kaminski, who has made this one of the best looking cinematic comedies I have seen in a while. Unfortunately, this only partially aids the work of Apatow as a director. As effective as the film is, the film clearly suffers from having too much in it. Its a very personal and more grounded story, which manages not to suffer from following a standard formula, but it is a long movie that borders on being self indulgent with how much material it has.

    All this being said, I really enjoyed this movie. Sandler is great as the dramatic lead, while the movie still manages to be very funny when it tries to be.

    George Simmons: So, Ira Wright? That's not your real name. You're hiding some Judaism.
    Ira Wright: I don't think I can hide that. My face is circumcised.
  • jdiAZ1980
    December 10, 2009
    jdiAZ1980
    this movie was funny yet sad
  • beingofgod
    December 10, 2009
    beingofgod
    A so so movie tho im not a fan of Adam Sandler
  • angryPrincess79
    December 10, 2009
    angryPrincess79
    It was funny, in parts, a least. I love all the actors that was in it but it gave you more of a sureal effect. Granted each star was good in their role it just didn't mesh well together. The absolutely hilarious part was the Eminem scene. Like I said funny in parts but dull as we...( read more)ll. Expexted more.
  • OgamiDaigoro
    December 10, 2009
    OgamiDaigoro
    Very funny and well written with some poignant insights about life thrown in there too. Another solid Apatow movie! Keep 'em coming!
  • resonatingbiodroid
    December 9, 2009
    resonatingbiodroid
    Disappointing. I thought it should have been funnier.
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