This story is about comedians yet it’s the most serious film to date for Apatow (The Forty-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up). Ira (Rogen) and Leo (Johah Hill) are trying to make it on the stand-up circuit while Mark (Jason Schwartzman) has landed a role in a (bad) sitcom. But the guy they all want to be is George Simmons (Sandler), who has broken out of the stand-up scene to become a major movie star.
His success hasn’t made George happy though and he has recently been told he has cancer. He goes back to doing the stand-up circuit, where he spots Ira and hires him as a joke writer. He also reconnects with an old flame, Laura (Mann). Then he gets news that changes everything.
Don’t see it for the stand-up comedy (it’s not particularly good); see it for the excellent performances - Sandler and Hill are outstanding, as is Eric Bana as Laura’s husband - and for the finely nuanced look at the competitiveness and quirkiness of these (not so) funny people. Bonus: commentary, gag reel.
DVD: Funny People
Comedy-drama. 2009. 140 min. With Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen and Leslie Mann. Director: Judd Apatow. 16LS.
Rating: 3/5
Reviewer: Willem Möller