It is fair to Say that Adam Sandler has been one of the most successful post Saturday Night Live cast members to date. And while he is known for his big budget comedies, he has also gained some note for his smaller more dramatic films like Punch Drunk Love (2002) and Spanglish (2004). Out of this dichotomy comes his new film Funny People.
Not a Summer Teen Comedy
An initial appraisal of Funny People would have you believe that it is fast paced comedy like its summer brother Hangover (2009), but this film is no simple laugh fest. Set in a sort of alternate reality, Sandler`s character, George Simmons, has lived much of the same life as his real world counterpart. He is successful beyond measure and has more money than he knows what to do with.
But all that counts for nothing when Simmons finds out he has a life threatening illness and must take experimental drugs.
Sandler's character deals with this revelation with the hiring of Ira Wright, played by Seth Rogan, who is a new stand up comedian trying to find his voice. Wright's job is two fold, he will tour with Simmons helping him write jokes, and simultaneously act as an assistant helping with a many of the final details like selling off Simmon's cars and memorabilia.
Wright also acts as an escape for the older Simmons, giving him a glimpse into his past life as he watches Ira hone his talents and gain self confidence as a comedian; as well as being someone new who is not financially or emotionally invested in his life. The later separation between mentor and fun helpful stranger adds some depth to the script as the film progresses.
Together they travel America, coming up with new material, fighting the illness and working out the problems amateur comedians face versus the problems of the comedian millionaire. They even run into real life comedians (Andy Dick, Sarah Silverman, Dave Attel among others) who give the film an even stranger sense of quasi-reality.
While this may sound like a two hour max movie, director Judd Apatow stretches it over two and a half, and it shows. While the movie is funny and interesting it moves with a very slow and deliberate pace, which is sure to be jarring to fans expecting a non stop laugh riot.
Different Script, Same Material
As with Apatow's other films, the same themes of friendship and awkward love continue. Once again most of the film feels sort of like a John Hughes homage, which is something Apatow openly acknowledges in his other projects.
If you are looking for a huge leap forward for Aptow's work this is probably not it. There are still plenty of catchphrase worthy lines, and the situations will keep you laughing, but it is not a great departure from his previous works.
But, fans of this groups previous work will leave satisfied, if with a few less laughs then they had hoped for. Both Sandler and Rogen give great performances, and are aided by an undeniably talented cast. That, coupled with the increasingly popular "from the guys who brought you 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up" tag, should be enough to make this one of the summer's more popular films.
 |
