Funny People

Viewer Rating:Forrest87 has rated Funny People rating: 3 Star

As far as names in modern day cinematic comedy go they're are few bigger than Judd Apatow, Seth Rogen and Leslie Mann. Adam Sandler's best days might be behind him but his most successful efforts in recent years have been when he's veered from the likes of click and 50 first dates and displays his acting chops and whatever it is about him that makes him innately funny.
Adam Sandler plays George Simmons, a comedian whose earnest beginnings made him the toast of Tinseltown. The success however got the better of him and he became jaded and a hack, churning out lifeless films and living alone in his palatial home. Upon visiting his Doctor and being diagnosed with a type of Leukaemia George takes stock of his life and realises what he's missing in life as well as the below par material he's produced over the last number of years. As such he visits, and subsequently bombs at an open mic night. At this open mic night he meets Ira (Seth Rogen) and they begin a tumultuous relationship which eventually leads to George attempting, with the help of Ira, to correct the biggest regret of his life and get back his lost love Laura (Leslie Mann).
What we really get is over two hours of introspection into the life of a comedian by comedians. What results is a mix of hilarious moments, elongated scenes and scenes that aren't necessary are not funny and on occasion make you veer away from liking or hating characters to feeling indifferent about them. If comedians are as neurotic and self obsessed as this then thanks for the heads up Judd, I'll avoid any I meet.
The real relationship that creates tension and causes the greatest amount of aggravation for the characters is that of struggling Ira and his two roommates Leo (Jonah Hill) and Mark (Jason Schwartzman). Both are involved in comedy and both are more successful than Ira. It creates a sense of desperation in Ira that is almost immediately obvious and serves his resentment of his friends.
The film drags towards the end. The constant shifting back and forth of the emotions and disposition of the characters grates and Ira is either too happy with everything thinking it's great and or constantly has a problem with everything.
Indeed, and not to give it away by the show is stolen in the end by Eric Bana. Bana, a former stand up comedian in Australia is marvellous as the aggressive, over excitable Buddhist Clarke who is the husband and of Laura and father of their two children. His performance engrosses the viewer at a point when they are just about to lose interest in every other character (if you hadn't already).
Again what you get here is a comedy with a lot of good jokes, characters you'll find hilarious to begin with but will begin to grate and about half an hour too much of celluloid.

Review published on the 24 February 2010 00:41