Funny People

Funny People

What happens when a funny person faces a life threatening illness, his funny friends try to support him and somehow in the end he defies the odds and miraculously heals?

What you have of course is the latest by funny man director/writer/producer/sometimes actor Judd Apatow. For those familiar with 2007’s Knocked Up the recipe remains basically the same, namely three parts comedy, two parts drama, and to finish it off a nice crass comedy shell. No the film doesn’t really leave much to the imagination, no surprise punches here. It’s not shocking that much of the comedy revolves around bodily functions and male genitalia. Seth Rogan is his usual funny but less over-weight of late struggling comic character that serves as the moral glue between the characters floating around in this dilemma.

However what is different about the film is the role played by Adam Sandler which is not his typical comedic shtick(basically every movie he’s ever done with the exception of Punch Drunk Love). Though he plays a fictitious movie superstar and comedian he shows a dark side to offset his comic characteristics. Sandler also provides viewers with an interesting look into the life of a Hollywood star on the brink of death with little to show for all his talent. Another of the uncharacteristic and refreshing characters Apatow provides is that of Jason Schwartzman as the self obsessed douche bag of a roommate to Seth Rogan. Another pleasing role reversal from what we’ve seen from Schwartzman in the past.

Despite the familiarity with the plot Funny People still has its charms. Judd Apatow gives the audience a view from backstage into the life of comedians both large and small. Funny People proves that sometimes people never really change but is that all so bad?