Funny People

Running Time: Two and a half hours

MPAA Rating: R

I’m sure that there are going to be many people who will expect a movie that is called “Funny people”, is written and directed by Judd Apatow, and stars a couple of the most well known comedians of the past two generations to be just like the audacious comedies we’ve seen in the past from these entertainers. However, people who are expecting another Knocked Up or Forgetting Sarah Marshall may be disappointed as this film is the very essence of what has come to be known as a “dramedy”. In it, Adam Sandler essentially plays himself in an alternate universe as a semiretired comedian and well-known movie star. This seems to be working out well for him until a wrench is tossed into the works in the form of a malignant disease. Faced with his own mortality, the star takes on a younger comedian (Seth Rogen) as his assistant and companion.

Viewers shouldn’t expect “My Sister’s Keeper 2” or anything like that. The disease is used to set the plot into motion, not to be the plot itself. In fact, there are very few movie clichés present to take note of. One thing that is notable in the movie is that it sacrifices many opportunities to get cheap laughs from the audience at the expense of its realism. Much of the humor feels like it was improvised by the stars themselves, which gives them genuine and unique parts that could not have been copied by any other actors.

Sandler is (obviously) a natural in his part, and Rogen manages to make up for the travesty of “Observe and Report” earlier this year through this film. The real-life chemistry between the two people carrying similar careers in different times adds a lot of depth to their relationship and helps us get through some of the more dramatic moments in the film. Every actor in the movie gets their time to shine, and not one of them disappoints. A celebrity cameo-ridden scene in a popular bar puts this point to the test when we get memorable showings from Norm Macdonald, Ray Romano, and Eminem (just to name a few).

If you are looking for a true-to-life comedy and don’t mind some tear-jerking along the way, then the two and a half hours should definitely be worth your time and money. If you are looking for a stoner flick with some heart, then you might want to stick with your tried and true Apatow collection at home. This movie was made for an audience that wants to care about the characters in it and is willing to take the time to let that happen. The film begins with a distinct change in the lives of the characters and leaves them in the end to seek out redemption and happiness from life, letting the audience decide the successfulness of the funny peoples’ endeavors for themselves.

Yours truly,

Autolycus

Actual Rating: This one definitely earns its “R” rating with plenty of crude language and a few sex scenes for good measure.