FUNNY PEOPLE (REVIEW)
The
title may suggest that this is an hilarious comedy… wrong! There are many
amusing parts to 'Funny People' but this movie circles around the serious subject
of leukaemia and the controlled aggression of human spirit when attempting to
overcome such a condition.
Adam Sandler plays George Simmons
- a world famous comedian who decides to take stock of his life after being diagnosed
with a rare form of the cancer. After learning of this news, George takes it upon
himself to quit appearing in movies for a while and do stand up comedy again -
something he did successfully in the early part of his career.
Unintentionally,
George employs a new up and coming talent, the jittery Ira (Seth Rogan), as an
assistant to write him some original material that's good enough to be noticed
again. They forge an unlikely friendship, but Ira begins to get too close, bordering
on obsession of to his new boss especially after learning of the impending illness.
Simmons is an instant success on the live circuit, but life isn't any happier.
The jokes may be frequent but other things lay on his mind.
He
seeks out his ex Laura (Leslie Mann) to possibly rekindle their long lost relationship
but that simply is not going to happen as her current husband attempts to shield
her away from him. Laura's torn between humour and heartbreak and is a woman who
obviously cannot give her complete trust to any man with memories of George still
burning inside.
Loyalties may be divided but personal survival
and everlasting friendship are brought into the framework of what George thinks
are his last days alive. There are some very funny parts to 'Funny People'. Written
and directed by Judd Apatow, his over the top outlandish comedy of past hits 'The
40 Year Old Virgin' and 'Superbad' is replaced with serious undertones in almost
every joke.
The routines that George delivers on stage are
good. Adam Sandler is the best he has ever been in a film since the impossibly
brilliant 'Punch Drunk Love'. Any Sandler fans expecting the actor in 'Happy Gilmore'
mode may be disappointed.
As Ira's housemates, co-stars Jonah
Hill ('Knocked Up') and Jason Schwartzman ('Rushmore') are two of the greatest
actors around producing quality comedy that seems almost all improvisational.
Australia's Eric Bana also has a definitive role as Laura's new husband and brings
with him some memorable moments towards the end of the film. Even Seth Rogan shows
poised support of Sandler, an above par performance from the usually erratic funny-man.
'Funny
People' is serious, however it's not depressing. Life is turned upside down reinvigorating
emotions by a truly talented ensemble cast which includes many cameos from a range
of past and present Hollywood comedians. A fragile subject it may be, 'Funny People'
mixes laughs with morality.
Shane A. Bassett
