Reviewed by Stuart O'Connor
Stars Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Eric Bana,
Jonah Hill, Jason Schwartzman, James Taylor, Andy Dick,
Paul Reiser, Sarah Silverman, Eminem
Written by Judd Apatow
Certification UK 15 | US R
Runtime 145 minutes
Directed by Judd Apatow
Adam Sandler draws heavily on his stand-up comedy background to play a famous comedian diagnosed with a fatal disease in what is only the third film to be written and directed by his long-time pal, Judd Apatow.
Sandler's character, George Simmons, is riding on the crest of a wave. He's been a box-office star for years, and has had everything handed to him on a silver platter. He's also a bit of a dick. But when he's diagnosed with leukemia, his world falls apart, and he realises he doesn't have any close friends that he can lean on. He decides to go back to his roots and return to stand-up, so he enlists an up-and-coming, but unknown, comic (Ira Wright) to write him some new material and be his gopher. As they spend more time together, Simmons gradually opens himself up.
Funny People is more of a drama with plenty of laughs than a comedy with a few dramatic moments. Sandler – who I tend to find pretty hit-and-miss – is outstanding in one of his best performances ever, and credit must go to his long-time friend Apatow for the terrific script. A very slimmed-down Rogen is rather subdued, but equally as good, in the supporting role. It's a moving film, with a lot of very personal themes being handled well. The rest of the cast is just as good – from Hill and Schwartzman as Wright's roommates, who are far more successful than he is, to Apatow's wife Mann as Simmons's one true love, Laura, who's now married to an Australian businessman (Bana). There are some wonderfully funny spoof films scattered throughout (Sandler as a "man-baby" is particularly chortle-worthy) and there are some great standup routines. But the film suffers a little from being overly long – Apatow seems to stretch the running time with each film he makes. Still, a numb bum is a small price to pay for such an enjoyable, and watchable, turn from Sandler.
• Official Site
• Funny People at IMDb
• Watch our interviews with writer/director Judd Apatow | Interview 1 | Interview 2