What happens when funny people try to make a funny movie about being unfunny? This movie: a serious, uncomfortable meditation on death and “the one that got away.” Funny People generates a handful of laughs and leaves you feeling like you just had a really depressing conversation with your best friend.
Adam Sandler stars as a reincarnation of himself, a superstar comedian with a slew of comedy films under his belt. When he is suddenly diagnosed with cancer, he hires aspiring comedian Seth Rogen to be his assistant. Rogen encourages the perpetual bachelor to tell loved ones about his illness. Enter: the love of his life, Leslie Mann, who is now married with two kids.
Eventually the movie spins on its head when Sandler is cured of his disease and has to deal with his life and the way he’s complicated it with newly-formed relationships. The movie then finds itself in the very predicament that Apatow films often face: the valiant attempt to avoid the kind of stereotypical endings that wrap up movies with a ribbon and a bow leaves the viewer with a highly dissatisfying non-ending.
There are a few reasons to watch Funny People though. Apatow and Mann’s two little girls, the same ones who charmed audiences in Knocked Up, are hysterical and honestly deserve their own TV show. And though Sandler obviously shines in comedies, it’s nice to be reminded of his acting chops in a film like this.
December 21st, 2009 at 8:59 am
I watched Funny People last night.
1. it was entirely too long.
2. i wanted to see more Jason Schwartzman because he was actually funny in the movie.
i give it “It’s alright and i would never watch it again”