Despite producing several of the best comedies of the last few years (including Pineapple Express, Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Superbad) this is only Judd Apatow's third film behind the camera (The 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up). The all-star cast includes Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Eric Bana, Jonah Hill and Jason Schwartzman.
Funny People is the story of a famous comedian (Sandler) who has a near-death experience. Says Apatow: "I'm trying to make a very serious movie that is twice as funny as my other movies. Wish me luck."
Writer-director-producer Judd Apatow’s third film as a director aims for something a bit more substantial than your average comedy but can’t decide what exactly that should be. The film’s too juvenile to be an affecting drama but too melancholic to be a genuine rib-tickler.
It’s also half an hour too long and could have done with a good trim. At times it feels like Apatow is hijacking all the goodwill earned with his terrific previous films (The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up) to make us sit through a self-indulgent vanity project (the casting of his wife and kids in main roles does nothing to convince us otherwise).
Luckily, Apatow has retained his knack for creating loveable characters. Eric Bana steals every scene he’s in, while Seth Rogen is the geek we all are inside. Adam Sandler earns himself further appreciation as a mega-successful comedian who regrets his life choices.
The film’s relaxed, shambolic pace and well-chosen soundtrack hints at the director’s assured ambitions but when the credits eventually roll Funny People has long outstayed its welcome.
By Andrew Hedley, Flicks.co.nz
Tries to express intellectual sense of humour out comes only boring and meaningless blabla.
This gets a 1/5 for the one vote that made me laugh and that was Leslie Mann trying to do an Austrailian impersonation. This was an incredibley boring movie, have recommended friends NOT to watch it.
Worst movie by adam sandler
Worst film by Adam... DAMN u fail me Adam... LONG BORING film................. FAIL... F.A.I.L....
This movie actually makes me want to go and buy it. I am for sure buying it.
The thing about Funny People is that it's a real movie. That means carefully written dialogue and carefully placed supporting performances -- and it's ABOUT SOMETHING.
Apatow's gags can still make me laugh out loud, but Funny People's flirtation with serious drama is forced and uncomfortable.
An absolute treat. In spite of its disappointing climax, this is Apatow’s smartest, rudest and -- yes -- funniest film yet.
Apatow is on the right track. In moving his adolescent male comedies into more adult realms, the humor sharpens and characters deepen.
Any sort of new insight into comedy's darker themes, to say nothing of life's, eludes Funny People. Instead Sandler and Rogen and the rest are left to wander aimlessly, with tedious comedy gigs, an even more tedious faux sitcom and relatively vapid relationships masquerading as a plot.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 17th Sep 2009.
Release date: September 17th 2009.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
