Funny People
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."
- Director:
- Judd Apatow ('The 40-Year-Old Virgin, 'Knocked Up')
- Writer:
- Judd Apatow
- Cast:
- Adam SandlerSeth RogenLeslie MannEric BanaJonah HillJason SchwartzmanRZAAubrey Plaza
Reviews & comments
Variety
pressAmusing and engaging yet lacking in snap and cohesion, this insider's look at the world of standup comics in contempo Los Angeles rings true in its view of the variously warped, stunted and narrow lives of its mostly male denizens.
Total Film
pressA comedy-drama full of beauty and ugliness, profundity and profanity. Eventually loses its way but, for at least 100 minutes, it’s some sort of masterpiece.
The New York Times
pressThere’s something irritatingly self-satisfied about Funny People, which explains why, though it glances on the perils of fame, it mostly affirms its pleasures.
Roger Ebert
pressThe 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.
Los Angeles Times
pressAny 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.
Hollywood Reporter
pressApatow is on the right track. In moving his adolescent male comedies into more adult realms, the humor sharpens and characters deepen.
Empire Magazine
pressAn absolute treat. In spite of its disappointing climax, this is Apatow’s smartest, rudest and -- yes -- funniest film yet.
Dominion Post
pressApatow's gags can still make me laugh out loud, but Funny People's flirtation with serious drama is forced and uncomfortable.
It was a long movie and it did become a different movie near the end but it was ok, I liked what it did and it went beyond the normal catharsis that one would expect from this kind of narrative into something different. Watchable with amusement
I saw this movie a couple of months ago and enjoyed it immensely. I've been surrounded by dying people for three years now and the black humour used by Adam Sandler and team is massively enjoyable. But no, it's not a traditional Adam Sandler project and I think we need to go for dark humour or drama rather than hilarity.
You know I loved it that it was long. I like getting more bang for my buck, especially if its a good bang. Its like how radio refuses to play songs longer than three and a half minutes, but sometimes you need a bit longer to do something great. If everyone stuck to the mold of radio pop, it would be a bland world indeed. Here is a movie with plenty of...
not actually a bad movie - has it's moments but too few and too far between, it just didn't seem to work. Seinfeld - is/was a comedy that made of nothing happening - this move seems to try the same thing.
I've seen some bad movies but this takes the cake. I recon the guy or gal that put the trailer together should have re-cut the whole movie. The trailer is actually quite good. The movie is just rubbish. My girl and I came out in a state of disbelief. It was long, it had no direction, no plot to speak of, bad acting and even the stand-up was average. There...
This film is like two films. The young up and coming comedian meets 'dying' older one, and then olders ones trying to redeem life with a lost love. The two don't gel. The second bit could have been done without all together other than the fact that the funniest bit comes in with Eric Bana's character. Way way too long, and way too many penis jokes. Once is...
Variety
pressAmusing and engaging yet lacking in snap and cohesion, this insider's look at the world of standup comics in contempo Los Angeles rings true in its view of the variously warped, stunted and narrow lives of its mostly male denizens.
Total Film
pressA comedy-drama full of beauty and ugliness, profundity and profanity. Eventually loses its way but, for at least 100 minutes, it’s some sort of masterpiece.
The New York Times
pressThere’s something irritatingly self-satisfied about Funny People, which explains why, though it glances on the perils of fame, it mostly affirms its pleasures.
Roger Ebert
pressThe 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.
Los Angeles Times
pressAny 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.
Hollywood Reporter
pressApatow is on the right track. In moving his adolescent male comedies into more adult realms, the humor sharpens and characters deepen.
Empire Magazine
pressAn absolute treat. In spite of its disappointing climax, this is Apatow’s smartest, rudest and -- yes -- funniest film yet.
Dominion Post
pressApatow's gags can still make me laugh out loud, but Funny People's flirtation with serious drama is forced and uncomfortable.
It was a long movie and it did become a different movie near the end but it was ok, I liked what it did and it went beyond the normal catharsis that one would expect from this kind of narrative into something different. Watchable with amusement
I saw this movie a couple of months ago and enjoyed it immensely. I've been surrounded by dying people for three years now and the black humour used by Adam Sandler and team is massively enjoyable. But no, it's not a traditional Adam Sandler project and I think we need to go for dark humour or drama rather than hilarity.
You know I loved it that it was long. I like getting more bang for my buck, especially if its a good bang. Its like how radio refuses to play songs longer than three and a half minutes, but sometimes you need a bit longer to do something great. If everyone stuck to the mold of radio pop, it would be a bland world indeed. Here is a movie with plenty of...
not actually a bad movie - has it's moments but too few and too far between, it just didn't seem to work. Seinfeld - is/was a comedy that made of nothing happening - this move seems to try the same thing.
I've seen some bad movies but this takes the cake. I recon the guy or gal that put the trailer together should have re-cut the whole movie. The trailer is actually quite good. The movie is just rubbish. My girl and I came out in a state of disbelief. It was long, it had no direction, no plot to speak of, bad acting and even the stand-up was average....
This film is like two films. The young up and coming comedian meets 'dying' older one, and then olders ones trying to redeem life with a lost love. The two don't gel. The second bit could have been done without all together other than the fact that the funniest bit comes in with Eric Bana's character. Way way too long, and way too many penis jokes. Once...
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