Review: ‘Funny People’

Suggesting that funnyman filmmaker Judd Apatow is a comic genius is like suggesting the world is round… it’s old news. It’s well-established that the man behind so many of today’s most hilarious and successfully crafted cinematic comedies can practically do no wrong. Well, he’s produced a couple of stinkers, but as a writer and director he’s nearly unbeatable. Shall I say he’s this generation’s Mel Brooks? No, his films are nothing like Mel’s. I’m merely suggesting he is that kind of comedic powerhouse.

FUNNY PEOPLE is, believe it or not, only the third feature film with Apatow as director. Having both written and directed this newest project, the film clearly has the feel of being a very personal project. How much of the inspiration from this story comes from his own life is unknown, but any good writer or artist will tell you that there’s always a bit of themselves in their work, whether they like it or not.

Adam Sandler plays George Simmons, an absurdly wealthy and successful comedian turned movie star, having made a fortune from making crappy kid’s movies and big studio comedies. Seriously, this guy’s house is nuts, so think of Simmons on the level of Jim Carrey, for example. We quickly learn that George has a rare form of leukemia and the news of his chances for recovering rock his world. At first, George opts to play it cool and not tell anyone his bad news. But as the burden of keeping this knowledge to himself begins to wear on him, he seeks solace from fellow comedians.

George happens to meet Ira Wright, played by Seth Rogen, an aspiring yet not well-hones stand-up comedian that somehow sparks George’s curiosity. In an effort to make the best of his remaining time, George hires Ira as an assistant and asks him to write jokes for him to start performing stand-up again. Ira lives with his two roommates Leo (Jonah Hill) a slightly more successful stand-up comedian and Mark (Jason Schwartzman) an ego-driven, less talented semi-star of a WB-style teen sitcom called YO TEACH. Ira also works at a local grocery store to make ends meet while struggling at his comedy, so being asked to write for George Simmons in a windfall.

Ira and George develop an awkward implied friendship. They’re an odd couple, but it works and they feed off each other, personally and professionally. The humor in FUNNY PEOPLE is smart, real and filled with substance, while not ignoring the type of writing and dialogue that has made past Apatow films so great. This is really more of a dramedy than any of his other films. FUNNY PEOPLE deals with some fairly sensitive human emotions and experiences, including that of realizing the one George let get away was his own fault. Leslie Mann plays Laura, George ex-girlfriend from 12 years past that nearly became his wife, but is now married to an Australian rugby-obsessed businessman played by Eric Bana.

FUNNY PEOPLE is a film about what’s truly important in life and what things like fame and fortune can do to us. It’s a film about how sometimes we need a serious wake-up call in life, an uncomfortable moment as we stare into the face of death to truly realize that the life we lead isn’t always the life we want. George isn’t perfect. Far from it as we witness him make many of the same mistakes over and over again in life, even after he faces it’s potential end and it’s that strange relationship he shares with Ira that will ultimately define how he pursues his second chance at life.

FUNNY PEOPLE is a real treat, laying out a wonderful story with great comedy both on and off the stage. Rogen’s performance has two stages, as he begins as a painfully struggling amateur that instills the need to cringe but develops over time into a more polished and promising comedian. The moments on stage from Sandler and Jonah Hill are near priceless. There’s an element of watching Lenny Bruce’s downward spiral from entertaining comical brilliance to over-bearing political indulgence as George Simmons takes his sickness on stage with him in one scene and a hush falls over the crowd and he slips into a very dark place. It’s an extremely powerful scene as George has some inner moment of harsh clarity.

The cast also includes Aubrey Plaza (Mystery Team) as a fellow amateur comedian and Ira’s love interest, The RZA as Ira’s co-worker in the grocery store deli, Aziz Ansari (Parks and Recreation) as another comedian as well as several surprise guest appearances playing themselves as friends and colleagues of George Simmons. Another element of the film that plays an unlikely but welcome role in the film is the music, featuring artists uncommonly heard in such big films like the brilliant Wilco.

Long story short, FUNNY PEOPLE is almost entirely a grand slam. The only real complaint I have about the film is the long segment at Laura’s house when George and Ira visit. This portion of the film does drag a bit and takes up precious screen time with non-essential plot elements that could have been effectively touched upon in a much shorter and refined approach. The total running time for FUNNY PEOPLE is 146 minutes, but a good 30 minutes or so could have been cut and the film would have been a that much better. Otherwise, FUNNY PEOPLE is a fun and light-hearted comedy with Apatow flair and a good, inspiring story that will have you leaving the theater feeling satisfied.