Talented Cast Needs Better Script

From writer and director Judd Apatow, “Funny People” is his third comedy film that really isn’t much of a comedy. As you’ll recall Apatow brought us, “The Forty Year Old Virgin” and “Knocked Up,” two hilarious films that were highly successful. His new film is confusing from the beginning as it deals with a man finding out that he has cancer (not a very funny topic) and later goes into the topic of divorce with the added possibility of breaking up a family with two children. Heavy themes if you ask me.

Basically, this ‘comedy’ should be three different films as it has several story lines. 1. A dying, older, successful, forty-something man who has cancer and no close family or friends. 2. A group of twenty-something guys living together and starting their acting/comedy careers. 3. An old girlfriend of a dying guy who regrets marrying a cheating guy, which she just so happens to have two children. Are you baffled? My guess is yes and you haven’t even sat through the lengthy, 2 hour and 20 minute film yet.

The beginning gives us the background of the main character, George, played by Adam Sandler. He’s not the kind of guy you’d want to hang out with as he’s a self centered, highly successful stand-up comic with no close friends. George is told very early in the film that he has cancer and doesn’t have long to live.

Meet Ira, played by Seth Rogen, the shining light in the film. He’s a grocery store deli worker by day and a struggling stand-up comedian by night. His roommates Leo, Jonah Hill, and Mark, Jason Schwartzman, are actors and friends who are more successful in their careers and with the ladies. Both don’t hesitate to bring up these points and taunt their so-called friend at any given opportunity.

When George is told the devastating news that he has cancer he begins to reflect upon his life by going through old photo albums and videos. He discovers that he has no close friends or relatives and decides that he should be more tolerant. He be-friends Ira, complimenting him on his performance at the stand-up comedy club and asks if he would like to be paid to write some jokes for his act. Soon, Ira is being paid to be George’s personal assistant and he quits his job at the deli. The film shifts dramatically when George reconnects with Laura played by Leslie Mann, Apatow’s wife in real life.

Ira’s roommates have a very ‘snarky’ attitude towards him, as they simply are not kind. It’s strange because no one in the film is nice to Ira other than George, but that’s only for a short time. Seth Rogen’s acting is amazing and one can’t help but feel sorry for him as he struggles with his career, friends, and life in general. During one desperate part in the film he calls his roommates and tells them that he has a serious problem and needs their help. They hang up on him. Nice, this scene again was supposed to be funny. I found it painful.

A remorseful George decides to take a road trip with a reluctant Ira as he wants to spend a weekend at Laura’s home while her husband Clarke, played by Eric Bana, is away on a business trip. The guys and Laura’s children are seen playing games; all kinds of games and fun-filled family activities that go on and on and on. The reasoning for these drawn out scenes makes no sense whatsoever. Way overdone, we got the jest with game one. The darling sisters finally ask Ira if their mom is going to get a divorce, he has no clue how to answer them. In a later scene, George asks Ira, “What happens in a divorce situation anyway with two kids, will the girls be split up and each live with one of the parents?” (That’s supposed to be a joke in the film).

So if you’re wondering why the R rating? Well, I can tell you that all the guys keep their clothes on somewhat, except for some of George’s one-night stand girls’. In addition, the constant reference to the male appendage consumes most of the script. At times, it’s non-stop and very boring. The film needs major editing and a script with a focus. Leslie Mann is a talented actress and deserves her own starring role, enough of the girlfriend or wife of the crazy, comic guy roles.

Sorry everyone, “Funny People,” is simply not very funny.

Sarah Adamson © 2009