Movie: Funny People

It is difficult to know where to start with Funny People, so I will say this: if you are expecting a bog standard comedy, you are in for a surprise.

This is the third movie from writer/director Judd Apatow (The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up) and expectations for it are high, with Apatow himself saying “I’m trying to make a very serious movie that is twice as funny as my other movies. Wish me luck!”

Funny People begins as a straightforward tale of redemption. George Simmons (Adam Sandler) is a comedian that has made his fortune by making naff lowbrow comedies (hardly a stretch for Sandler to find his motivation for this role...). After finding out he has a blood disease, he realises he is very alone and without anyone to tell his devastating news. Not knowing what else to do he goes out to a comedy club and back to his roots as a stand-up act.

Unsurprisingly, when he gets on stage his morbid humour doesn't go down well with the crowd, leaving inexperienced wannabe funnyman Ira Wright (Seth Rogen), to step in. George catches some of Ira's set, sees his potential and hires him to write him material and be his PA.

George is living a playboy lifestyle but it clearly hasn't made him happy. Facing up to the fact he might be dying, he realises he wants to get back with the love of his life, Laura (Leslie Mann) - the only problem is that she is now married with kids.

Running alongside the main story are the sub-plots involving Seth's buddies and love interest. To be honest this is where it all gets a bit too much; there are too many characters and famous cameo appearances to even mention.

The story then gets really drawn out with unnecessary scenes starring Apatow's family. This is clearly a personal project for the director and unfortunately it hasn't worked as well as it could have as he has over-indulged himself. This is the second time he has cast his own family in a movie, and it strikes me as odd to want to direct your wife and kids in roles with a handsome actor playing 'the husband'.

The other big problem with Funny People is that it's way too long at 146 minutes. On the upside, it is a funny film - all the stand-up material was filmed with the audience instructed to react naturally, so there is no canned laugher. Sandler is excellent as George - he pulls out a performance of Punch Drunk Love standard. Rogen's, however, is a bit flat.

Overall though I would recommend that you watch this buddy movie, even with its imperfections. Oh and for the strange yet brilliant Eminem cameo....

Funny People is out 28th August - check out the Odeon website for screening times.