Funny People

George is a very successful stand up comedian who learns that he has an untreatable blood disorder and is given less than a year to live. Ira is a struggling up-and-coming stand up comedian who works at a deli and has yet to figure out his onstage persona. One night, these two perform at the same club and George takes notice of Ira. George hires Ira to be his semi-personal assistant as well as his friend.

When this film wants to, it will make you laugh so hard tears will steam down your face, your gut will hurt and you will make really odd noises as your lungs suck in air too quickly. But at other times, and unfortunately more times than you would like, boredom will be on the brink of kicking in.

It shows how life is hard on the ‘Celebrity’ phenomena. The main character is told he has 6 months to live, before he can get to his car, drive home and let the news settle in; he has to pose for photos and come across as the funny man in his doctor’s office complex. The Streets made a point that everyone has a camera phone these days so you can not escape at any point when out side the house.

I think it was also a bit of a let down by its hype, I heard that all the stars had to go back to the comedy clubs and relearn the trade, as with most method actors, to feel totally comfortable with the part. We only see a snippet of this, instead we get a couple of songs sung by Sandler which are not entertaining and drag on. Then we add James Taylor (only as The Boss Bruce Springsteen - I will do anything for cash AKA The Super Bowl- turned it down) gets on the stage and plays the best part of 2 whole songs. Too much.

Not to be too scathing though although long there is a real strong storyline to follow with a Great Gatsby feel. Great cameos make this film with one of the funniest parts going to two actors who have about 1 minute of screen time.

Unfortunately I believe that Judd Apatow went a little too deep with this movie, he has made some of the best comedies of resent years but this just misses the mark a little.

~review by Alex