Review of Funny People (2009) by Deepak C — 16 Jan 2012

Funny People is a dramatic and hilarious film that I think is a bit of a testament to the career of Adam Sandler and the begining of rising star Seth Rogen. It is one of the very small number of Sandler comedies that are good, and it is because they not only have him they put in some seriously hilarious comedians like Jonah Hill, Aziz Asari, Leslie Mann, and many more that all contribute to this being hilarious. But when I was halfway through the film I began to realize that Adam Sandler may have actually touched my heart with an actual emotional performance. Funny People is a very good movie because of one main reason, it is an actual funny Judd Apatow movie that not only will make you laugh but make you emotional as well.

The story follows George Simmon (Adam Sandler) and Iris Wright (Seth Rogen). George is a comedian who has been around forever but discovers he has been diagnosed with cancer. Iris is a guy who dreams of being a stand up comedian. When George asks Iris to write jokes for him they soon bond and become friends. This friendship is just what George needs to cope with his cancer and get his life back in order.

The plot was written by Judd Apatow who whenever he directs a film its good and he has produced some very crappy films lately, but he has struck gold with writing and directing this movie thats an actual good performance from Adam Sandler. Its emotional for the audience and it shows that he can actually make a movie instead of te crap he usually makes. The character were saying the fake names but all I saw were the real actor because its seemed like they were making a testament to Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen and showing that a legendary comedian and new comedian can be friends and that maybe the new generation of comedy is different than Sandlers. This is a story that quickly caught me because from the very beginning scenes you can tell its a movie that has nothing but respect for Sandler and other older comedians, and it could not have been have done by somebody better because Judd Apatow and Adam Sandler with roommates in college so if anyone knows an actor like him better its going to be his best friend who has made more than half of his movies.

The cast consists of a bunch of comedians and surprisingly every comedian in this film was great and one of my favorites. Adam Sandler is a complicated man to review for, he has been in so many terrible films but I think Funny People truly shows that he can be funny and play a serious role. When he was on SNL he was one of the best, he never strayed from being jusy a stupid guy who loved his work and he plays a role in this that I think reviews his life and his love for comedy. Seth Rogen is going to be one of the best comedians ever, this is not a prediction, I know he will be, already his films are getting great critical and commercial reception and I just love his voice and how raunchy he can be. You listen to me, he will be the next Sandler, except hopefully Rogen will do much better movies than Adam Sandler. Leslie Mann is actually in a role that I found enjoyable for once, she plays a role she can handle and whenever she does an Apatow comedy she is just very likable. This incredible cast really impressed me with their love for comedy and they are very memorable.

Funny People was hated by many for being boring or dramatic but that is kind of why I hated. This is a movie starring Adam Sandler and just Adam Sandler, not a waterboy, not dressed as a woman, and not a Zohan whatever the hell that is, he is for once being himself and that is why most people hated him in it, because he was playing a good role and most people cannot handle him trying to make a good change. I am watching this after his horrible year in 2011 with Jack and Jill and Just Go With It and if he went back to great films like this and The Wedding Singer his career may even be able to be saved from the horror that was Jack and Jill. If you need one of the best Adam Sandler comedies ever made and Judd Apatows best film in a long time than you will need to see this.