Funny People

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Writer/director/producer Judd Apatow has made quite the name for himself as a maker of hilariously loose comedies, written with a lot of heart. From The 40-Year Old Virgin to Knocked Up, Apatow has solidified his presence – and his fanbase – amongst the cynics of Tinsel Town. Funny People, is easily his most ambitious and very probably his most personal. It is the story of George Simmons (Adam Sandler) a comedian dealing with his impending mortality and the ripple effect this has on people in his life, most notably his assistant (Seth Rogan) and the girl-that-got-away (Leslie Mann).

Funny People is certainly a love letter to comedians – those crazy, competitive, penis-joke happy bunch – both past, present and future. The list of cameos is impressive, and the scene where Eminem has a go at Ray Romano is one of many in-jokes. However this film – at over 2 hours – is by no means wall to wall laughs, instead it is quite a serious look at death, loneliness, narcissism, and in the final act, a rather overly sentimentalised portrait of family.

For the most part Funny People is richer for this depth, and certainly the actors make a meal of the material. Adam Sandler is fearless, rivalling his turn in Punch Drunk Love, while great performances abound with Jonah Hill, Jason Schwartzman and a scene-stealing (nay, rescuing) Eric Bana in a welcomed return to comedy.

At its core, Funny People is about the importance of friendship. The film opens with real footage of Sandler making prank calls; he and his friends in stitches. It is this comradery, this community that Apatow so wonderfully captures. Like jazz-musicians, he and his cast riff on what it is to be funny – in its notes both high and low.

3 1/2 Stars

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This review was published in The Brag.

Australian release date 10 September 2009.