Funny People Review

Judd Apatow. A man singularly responsible for causing me to laugh more than any other one person. I had some pretty high expectations for this apparent summer laugh factory, and while the film fell short of my expectations I did enjoy it. First thing is first, this is not a comedy, it is a drama about funny people, hence the title. Obviously no one wants to go check out a movie about some dude dying, hence the advertising campaign aimed at making it look like another one of Apatows giggle riots. I left the theater earlier today, making a perplexed 'hmph' noise as I walked out. In the car on the drive home I must have repeated the noise at least 7 times. There is simply something about this movie I could not put my finger on. It made me laugh, it made me tear up at times, and unlike most comedies it made me think as apposed to just turning my brain off.

I really like Adam Sandler in serious roles, he is one of the rare comedians that can pull it off. Unfortunately Seth Rogan does not share this rare gift. While this is still a comedic role for Rogan, its a little outside of his pay grade as far as how demanding it is in a dramatic sense. Sandler is great, Apatows wife and kids are great, Jonah hill and Jason Shwartzman are pretty good, and I didn't hate Eric Bana. I did however feel that Rogan was cast in this role purely because of his relationship and history with Judd. He really didn't have what it takes to convince me.

This is a movie about comedians, there lives and how the whole acting/stand up system works. In that realm it can get pretty funny, but the main story is a pure drama. A man at the end of his life tries to realize what he has done wrong and attempts to mend some bridges. Some pretty serious stuff, in the beginning of the film (while I was still under the impression I was watching a comedy) I found myself doing that half laugh, you start out laughing and then trickle off into a weird limbo "was I supposed to be laughing at?" kinda thing.

I hate to say this but I cannot whole heartedly recommend you people to go see this in theaters but definitely rent it. If you are a huge fan of this crew of usual suspects then by all means throw down that 10 bucks. Just don't say I didn't warn ya.

7/10

-Ben