Review of Funny People (2009) by Noah K — 16 Sep 2011

2-for-1 deals are usually well received - but not when they come in movie form.

*My reviews contain spoilers, but I don't attempt to summarize the plot*.

This movie starts off very promising. Sandler gets to show his emotional depth that he does well - but rarely.

Rogen is muted - which works well for his character.

Jason, who plays his successful roommate, plays the same character he always does; but it works. Same with Jonah Hill.

The relationship storyline between Rogen and Sandler is played out pretty well. I wish we would've just focused on that element without Leslie Mann's story.

At first, including her as the one that got away made sense. He is facing the fact that he is dying, so him making amends is a very realistic action. However, the movie sidelines once we enter her house in San Francisco - it's almost an entirely different movie. That last hour, the last 5 minutes not included, completely derails the flow.

I don't have any strong feeling one way or another - hence the short review - I just felt like Judd needed to choose one: A story about someone dying where he takes the opportunity to help someone come into their own as an upstart comedian; or rekindling the flame with the one that got away. Not both.