Rated: R
Running Time: 146 Minutes
Release Date: 30-Jul-2009
Nudity: One pair of boobs
One Sentence: 3 for 3 for Apatow.
It seems like movies about comedians tend to not be funny. Which I guess is fine if you are looking into thier lives and you find something else besides comedy, but these movies also traditionally have not been very good either. I guess it is a hard line to walk, the idea of an unhappy comedian, and how do you make that story good, interesting, and worth telling. Judd Apatow's third movie Funny People tells a wonderful story, that ranges from absolutely hilarious to heartfelt and real. It does it not at the expense of the comedy and not of the expense of the drama or the story.
This movie is wonderfully put together, it seems like this idea of really funny stand up with some very real issues has hit the mark. Casting comedians in the roles and not dramatic actors is where I think they nailed it. Adam Sandler was perfect. He was as good here as he was in Punch Drunk Love and delivered an amazing performance. The rest of the cast was just as stellar, and everyone worked so well together. I fell in love with everyone in this movie, and thought they delivered a wonderfully strong dramatic movie. Far more drama and reality than the last 2 Apatow movies. However that drama was in balance and seemed to be in step with the rest of the movie and never felt forced or out of place.
I think this is just as good in a different way as 40-Year-Old Virgin. I think some might be a little let down of the reality of this movie compared to the last two, but I think it was a good step for Apatow and all the actors involved. I think this is a must see movie, and right now my favoirte movie of the year. So go see it in the theater. Hope you liked it as much as I did.
