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FUNNY PEOPLE |
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I have absolutely no comment on Adam
Sandler's career decision to pursue more dramatic roles; that’s between he
and his agent. I will say that so far it has not worked out too well.
Fortunately his latest venture stays more on the comedy side than the drama. "Funny People" is a darker comedy than
"Bedtime Stories" and "You Don't Mess With Zohan", but infinitely lighter than
"Reign on Me" and "Punch Drunk Love". Writer/Director Judd Apatow kept in the
laughs. Yet some people won't understand
certain elements of the film. "Funny People" is about Adam Sandler's character
- his rise, his dilemma, his triumph and his downfall. |
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What some people won't get is the
roles of Seth Rogen and Leslie Mann in two strong but very supportive roles
that divide the film into two parts (thus the two and a half hour run time. In the first half of the film Rogen
(as Ira Wright) is in the full supporting role, jockeying with Sandler's
George Simmons character. George Simmons is a successful stand up comedian
who parlayed is comedy into very profitable but stupid movies like Merman
(where he is a mermaid). Simmons has learned from his doctor
that he has a rare form of leukemia that will probably kill him. He will
undergo treatments with experimental drugs that have a success rate of only
8%. After wallowing in self pity
for a couple of days he decides to walk on at his old haunt the Improv in LA
- where successful comedians have a standing invitation to perform. |
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Simmons does a morose monologue that
left the audience flat. Ira who poked fun at the dismal routine followed him.
Ira’s routine wasn’t that great, but was still better than Simmons. So
Simmons hires Ira to write jokes for him and serve as his assistant for $1500
a week - considerably more than his job in a deli is paying. Ira is living with two other,
slightly more successful new comedians (played by Jonah Hill and Jason
Schwartzman). One has a sit-com and has just moved into the bigger leagues in
terms of pay. Subsequently he is nailing every woman he can. Ira, however spends most if his time
with Simmons as his confidant and writer. He gets to travel and meet other
big-time comedians. A funny thing happens during the
leukemia treatment that changes things: it works. The news is delivered by
his doctor whose accent he teases as ominous (terrifically played by Torsten Voges). This is when the movie shift into
part two. |
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While he was dying he reconciles
with everyone from his past including his old flame Laura (Mann) who has
married and Aussie named Clarke (Eric Bana). She falls for him again mainly
out of sympathy for his medical condition. But it is now Mann who takes over
as the supporting actor from Rogen. As a result the tone of the film changes. "Funny People" is an examination of
comedians and success more than an examination of one comedian and his
success. There are plenty of shots at the perks that come with success and
the void of anonymity. That may upset some people; especially feminists as
the successful comedians are constantly getting laid while Ira (the least
successful) struggles to even meet a woman. The two women he does met wind up
sleeping with two more successful comics! "Funny People" might be the perfect
vehicle for Sandler as he tries to figure out what he wants to do when he
grows up. A lot of comedy and a little darkness. Nevertheless it is enjoyable
and keeps with the Apatow tradition. --GEOFFREY BURTON
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