Funny People

Synopsis

George Simmons (Adam Sandler, Bedtime Stories), a very famous comedian who is self absorbed, has no true friends and learns that he has a short time to live due to an incurable disease. He meets a young struggling comedian named IRA (Seth Rogen, Pineapple Express) and offers him a job as his assistant. They become close while George provides his old school knowledge to Ira and Ira helps George find closure with his life. Through George's near- death experience, he finds out what is important to him in life.

Review

Before I even went to see Funny People, I wasn’t feeling the trailer. There was nothing really in the trailer that made me laugh. I did want to give it a chance. I thought I’d be wowed or something by the drama and comedy mix. I wasn't. What I felt about the movie, is what I felt about the trailer, that it was just mmm… okay. This film is way too long. The scenes drag on and on and the jokes are super crude and crass – definitely male jokes. This one young guy left the theater saying it was the funniest movie he’s ever seen. And I was thinking that home dude must not have lived on this earth long if Funny People was the funniest he’s seen thus far.

Funny tells the story of George Simmons (Adam Sandler, Bedtime Stories), a famous comedian who is told he’s going to die. This hits him right in the gut because he has no friends and feels a little washed up. So he finds himself frequenting more standup joints. He goes back to his roots. He also befriends and hires Ira (Seth Rogen, Observe and Report) a young struggling comedian to write some jokes for him and be his assistant. During George’s near death experience, he also thinks very hard about his one true love that got away.

Sitting through a 2 hour and 20 minute comedy, that really doesn’t bundle a mighty punch, can be rough. My goodness. Did I say it is way too long? Yes, I already said that.

Judd Apatow’s entire family is in the film. I don’t blame him. He has a very talented and lovely family. His daughters are such naturals and very funny.

I liked the second half of the movie better. Lets say the last hour when they really get into the story with George’s ex-girlfriend played by Leslie Mann (17 Again) and her family. Eric Bana (Star Trek) who plays her husband, isn't in it until the last 45 minutes. Bana is pretty funny considering his character is extremely over-the-top. It’s like he’s talking and moving at three notches above everyone else. Sandler’s character made me want to oops him upside the head. I didn’t feel an ounce of nothing for him. Rogen’s character is likeable. Oh, and be ready for tons of cameos.

For me, Funny is just all right, yet I know for others, they’re going to laugh and love it. It just didn’t tickle my ivories the way it would someone else's. Before you go and say, she doesn’t understand Apatow’s films. I get them. I really liked 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up. The premises were very good and the scenes were way funnier too. Don’t get me wrong; those movies were extremely crude too. Funny just has very jive jokes with mediocre deliveries. They are just stupid, repetitive and nasty. How many penis, butt and testicle jokes can be said? Come on now. Look to a new horizon of jokes. Or at least try catching a new wave or something.

I guess if you like all those quick redundant jabs and male jokes you’ll get down with the film. Some folks are going to think Funny will be the comedy of the year. I’m sure hoping that’s not true. With all the male body part humor (YUCK) it might offend many. And once again I saw a couple of young kids with their parents. This flick isn’t for young ears. There are so many bad curse words. I should have sat and counted them, but I would have lost count at 99.

If you’re a fan of Apatow’s work, how can you not see Funny? Just know what you’re getting – a very long, crude and some jive jokes kind of movie. This film will be loved by half and kicked to the curb by others. I’m kicking it.

My Rating ~ 3 Reels

Audience Rating (What's Yours?)