Reviewed by Stuart O'Connor
Stars Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Eric Bana, Jonah Hill, James Taylor,
Jason Schwartzman, Andy Dick, Paul Reiser, Sarah Silverman, Eminem | Written by Judd Apatow
UK certification 18 | UK RRP £24.99 | DVD Region 2 | Runtime 146 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.
EXTRAS **** As you'd expect, with two discs, you get an absolute truckload of special features. Things kick off nicely on Disc ONe with two versions of the film itself – theatrical and extended (as if it weasn;t long enough already!). There's also a very funny audio commentary with writer/director Apatow, and stars Sandler and Rogen. Plus the Funny People Diaries (A Documentary in Four Parts) which is a coolection of on-set video diaris made by Apatow during trhe film's production, along with interviews with the cast. Plus a two-part "Line-O-Rama", which sees the actors trying different versions of lines. And a two-part gag reel. And all of that's just on Disc One. The second disc has 24 deleted scenes; 20 extended and alternative scenes (the full Aussie Rules scene is a corker); three documentaries (Raaaaaaaaaandy, Judd's High School Radio Show, and James Taylor Behind the Scenes); music videos (James Taylor, Adam & Jon Brion, George Soon Will be Gone, and RZA Podcast); a collection of stand up comedy specials, that were filmed for the movie; From The Afchives – a collection of stuff featuring Apatow, Sandler and Rogen, such as Letterman appearances etc, all from the 1990s; The Films of George Simmons (clips from Re-Do, Sayonara Davey, Merman, The Champion and Dog's Best Friend); Prank Calls from 1990; Adam & Judd of Charlie Rose; clips from the TV "series" Yo Teach; Kids of The Loose: The Sequel (outtakes from Maude and Iris Apatow); ADR Line-O-Rama; George in Love (more footage from the film's sex scenes, but with blurry boobs); and the theatrical trailer. Phew, that's a pretty awesome package ...