POTENTIAL SPOLIERS!

Funny People, in these reviewers’ eyes, is not a dramedy. Like all the previous Judd Apatow movies, it’s mostly jokes. It’s pure comedy. It’s really only mature in its subject matter: a lonely, bitter, unhappy, desperate man (celebrity) trying to cope with his impending death. This is the first plot, the third act goes into a new direction having to do with Sandler’s character trying to win back the love of his life after becoming well again. Unfortunately for him, though, she’s married and has two kids. The only real dramatic moments in the film, I guess, involve Adam Sandler shouting at Seth Rogen a couple of times. I’d expected more.

But the movie does deliver when it comes to jokes, and there are plenty of jokes. Crude, tasteless jokes. Vulgar jokes. The kind a guy like me can really dig. All of the main characters in the film are comedians. Some are already established in the comedy world (Adam Sandler), while others are potential up and comers (Seth Rogen and Jonah Hill).
If you’re looking for a little insight into the world of stand up comedy this would be the picture for you to see. Judd Apatow, the director, used to be a comedian himself who also wrote jokes for comedians Roseanne and Tom Arnold.

The comedy in the film is typical of a Judd Apatow movie. There’s lots cursing and talk about male and female genitalia, masturbation, relationships, geeks and nerds, and a whole lot of movie and pop culture references. But some of the best gags for me came from the celebrity cameos, of which there are many. My favorite one would have to be James Taylor’s appearance with Seth Rogen’s character where he ends up using a lot of “blue” language, if you know what I mean. And Eric Bana, for the short time he’s actually in the movie, is hilarious as well playing a moody Australian traveling salesman grounded in eastern philosophy.

What’s atypical about this Apatow picture, and what I found to be the most enjoyable aspect, are the characters themselves. I’m used to seeing Seth Rogen playing lazy, sarcastic stoners, incompetent deviant police officers, or mentally unstable, date raping mall security guards, but in this movie he actually plays a very amiable, hard working, compassionate guy whose doesn’t smoke pot once! Adam Sandler on the other hand is the complete opposite of Rogen’s character: he’s a very mean, angry, and empty person. But, of course, he does have his redeeming qualities, which we see towards the end of the film. Sandler hasn’t played anyone this grumpy since Happy Gilmore.

Funny People is a decent film. Not my favorite comedy from this year (that cherry goes to Land of the Lost!), and not even my favorite Apatow movie, but it’s not terrible either. I certainly wasn’t bored. This is probably Adam Sandler’s best role since Punch Drunk Love, and Seth Rogen has shown us he has the acting chops to take on a role different from what we’re used to seeing him in. So it’s not all bad. My only disappointment was that Funny People wasn’t as big a leap forward in maturity for it’s director/writer, Judd Apatow, as I’d thought it would be.