Funny People (2009)

Director:

Judd Apatow

Writer (WGA):

Judd Apatow (written by)

Release Date:

31 July 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

When seasoned comedian George Simmons learns of his terminal, inoperable health condition, his desire to form a genuine friendship cause him to take a relatively green performer under his wing as his opening act.

Plot Keywords:

Stand Up Comedian | Peanut Butter | Doctor Patient Relationship | Adultery | Groupies

Awards:

2 nominations

Cast

Adam Sandler	...	George Simmons
Seth Rogen	...	Ira Wright
Leslie Mann	...	Laura
Eric Bana	...	Clarke
Jonah Hill	...	Leo Koenig
Jason Schwartzman	...	Mark Taylor Jackson
Aubrey Plaza	...	Daisy
Maude Apatow	...	Mable
Iris Apatow	...	Ingrid
RZA	...	Chuck
Aziz Ansari	...	Randy
Torsten Voges	...	Dr. Lars
Allan Wasserman	...	Dr. Stevens
Rod Man	...	Himself
Wayne Federman	...	Comedy & Magic Manager

Also Known As:

Untitled Judd Apatow/Adam Sandler Project (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and crude sexual humor throughout, and some sexuality.

Runtime:

146 min | 153 min (unrated version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #45381) | Canada:18A (British Columbia) | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A (Manitoba/Ontario) | Canada:18A (Alberta/British Columbia) | UK:15 | Australia:MA | Ireland:16 | Singapore:M18 | New Zealand:R16 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Finland:K-13 | Ireland:15 (video rating) | Sweden:7

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles International Airport - 1 World Way, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Aziz Ansari's character, Randy, proved to be so popular on the set with the cast and crew that Judd Apatow shot a Randy "documentary" and is currently developing a Randy feature film.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the bar celebration scene, Sarah Silverman's drink appears in and out of her hand between shots.

Quotes:

Laura: No cussing in your standup.
George Simmons: That takes out half of my act.

Movie Connections:

References Alien (1979)

Soundtrack:

All The King's Horses

"Funny People" is a realistic and stunning portrait of people all but completely ruined by life...

Judd Apatow's third directorial feature, "Funny People" starring Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen and Leslie Mann, is not really about the titled "Funny People", but more about how their lives have shaped them, and how they cope and try to change things.

Yes, the writer/director of "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" and "Knocked Up" has turned in a decidedly more dramatic direction than his previous features, but if you are willing to go in with an open mind, the film does not disappoint. It is a touching, at times even heart-wrenchingly painful film, mainly because the realistic portrayal of its characters, and how corruptible they show the human condition as being.

The film begins with George Simmons (Sandler), a wildly popular comedian who has done everything from stand-up to cruddy movies (including "Mer-Man" and the baby-body-swapping epic "Re-Do"), and has become quite shallow and empty from fame and fortune. When he learns he is suffering from a rare form of Leukemia, and is told he may die, he begins to break down. Eventually, during a rather morbid stand-up routine, he encounters struggling comedian Ira Wright (Rogen), whom was his following act on stage that night.

Although insulted at first by Wright's act, which mimicked his depressing routine, Simmons eventually hires him as an assistant and co-writer for his material, even giving him the opportunity to open for him.

Their relationship as co-workers soon blooms into a pseudo-friendship, as Ira worships George, and George confides his secret with him. Here is where the movie gets interesting.

Up until this point, Ira has been stuck with his friends (Jonah Hill and Jason Schwartzman), two other comedians, but unlike them, his career isn't really going anywhere. Now, he has been presented with the opportunity of a lifetime, but because he is so starstruck by George, he doesn't necessarily recognize that the friendship is only one-way.

The rest of the movie is a heartfelt struggle as George tries to rebuild his life, despite his life-threatening illness, including coming back into contact with "the one who got away" (Leslie Mann in a fantastic performance), while Ira must come to terms with the fact that his new friend still has a lot of growing up to do.

The film is quite exquisitely written and directed, and the characters come off as perfectly real. It's very interesting to see a movie in the comedy genre that has the guts to say "No, sometimes people don't change immediately", as Apatow does. The second half of the movie has some amazing scenes where we see how Ira and George's lives might turn out, as we ponder whether or not George will learn from his predicament or not.

The performances all around are amazing. Sandler once again delivers a jaw-dropping dramatic role, as he had previously done in films such as the new classics "Punch Drunk Love" and "Reign Over Me." Rogen also shows he has some chops, delivering quite a stirring performance, and proving he isn't "just another funny guy." Mann has some amazing scenes herself, and in a way reminded me of people from my own past. Other supporting characters, including Hill, Shwartzman, Eric Bana as Mann's husband, Apatow's children Maude and Iris, Aubrey Plaza as Rogen's potential love interest and even the RZA as Chuck, Rogen's co-worker, all deliver strong performances.

The movie also has numerous comedian cameos, as people who know and love George, including Sarah Silverman, Norm MacDonald, Charles Fleisher, Ray Romano and Andy Dick, all portraying themselves, which gives the movie another breath of realism.

Apatow's growth as a filmmaker is also shown, as this is certainly his most "cinematic" movie to date. The composure of the shots is expert and the stirring musical taste really adds a lot to the film.

And while the movies does border on a two-and-a-half-hour running length, like Apatow's previous film, I didn't mind at all... it was certainly the quickest two-and-a-half-hours I've experiences in a long time.

Overall, the film is going to turn a lot of people off, with it's main focus being on drama, and not comedy, but if you are willing to open your mind, you will find an amazing tale to learn from and laugh with.

For me, a perfect 10 out of 10, one of the best movies of the year so far.