Ok, Funny people
well lets start with the title. Straight away you have to say its a bold move to call the movie funny people, I mean this means it really does have to be funny right?
Well I guess just being Judd Apatow means you are expected to be funny. The guy behind films such as Cable guy, Anchorman, Talladega nights, Superbad, Pineapple Express etc etc has a lot to live up to.
This movie is billed as being his third film (as both Writer and Director) following the hugely sucessful 40 year old virgin and Knocked up. In terms of subject matter, It seems Mr Apatow feels that the more serious the subject, the more laughs he can get out of it. The 40 year old virgin deals with belated sexual awakening, Knocked up deals with pregnancy after a one night stand, and Funny people deals with Death.
The film follows Adams Sandlers character, who is a successful comedian coming to terms with his terminal illness. He then finds out he is better and bang, he has obtained a new lease of life.
The film feels very personal, and the inclusion of actual footage of Adam Sandler making prank calls from when he used to live with Apatow just add to that. This is a film by stand up comedians by people who used to do stand up
So the main question is, is it any good?
Well the answer is a resounding yes. The film is probably Apatow's best work to date. The cast are superb and there is a great chemistry forged by the fact that these people are long term collaborators. Where the film is let down is by an over long third act which just means this excellent film meanders to its inevitable conclusion when it should of sprinted there. You could easily trim 20-30 minutes off and the film would be better for it
Saying that, if thats the only complaint I can find from Funny people, that there is too much of it, then its a complaint I would be happy to make again and again when it comes to future Apatow films
One of the best comedies of the year. Check it out
4/5
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