REVIEW: "Funny People"

It would be unfair to say "Funny People" is a misnomer, it certainly does star plenty of great comedians but the movie is a drama and a long one at that. My first two thoughts after catching the flick on Sunday was "How long was that?" to which the answer is around 3 hours, and "Wow that second half was depressing." That being said, I did enjoy the movie and although I probably wouldn't sit through it at a theater again I would definitely by the DVD (especially if the include some of the stand-up footage they shot with all the actors).

I'd like to watch the movie again on DVD if only to see how long the different parts are. The first 3rd of the movie is spent establishing the main characters in their home lives and their professional careers, which while great flies by. Next thing I know I'm in love with Seth Rogen again and oddly enough finding Adam Sandler funny again (TV without Pity had a great review that mentions the same). Its sad that the first phase goes by so quickly but it does effectively set up the rest of the film, I've learned to love these two characters and am ready to journey into the realms of death and awkward middle aged love with them.

I recalled a quote from High School "In the end if the main character dies its a tragedy, and if he lives its a comedy;" this film stays somewhere between the two occasionally shifting from side to side. Listening to Judd Apatow in interview on the late night talkshow circuit and on The Daily Show, its clear that his movies are meant to tackle serious life problems with comedy so that it might be easier to understand and accept. The movie is peppered with enough cock jokes and awkward moments to keep the serious parts from being too much, and is grounded in realism enough to make it easy to relate to what the characters are going through.

As long as you go in knowing you won't be laughing the whole time, and are prepared for some serious talks about mortality then you'll have a good time. If you're a big comedy fan, you can watch and try and name all the cameos that pop up.

I also have this movie to thank for introducing me to Aubrey Plaza (because she was basically mute in Parks & Rec, and awesome in this) and also loved seeing the RZA acting again although I wish he was in it more.