Kevin Smith and Judd Apatow are two writer/directors who produce stories of friendship and love. While Smith has never broken into the mainstream, Apatow has broken through with the great comedies The 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up. He follows this up with Funny People, set in the world of stand-up comedy. And like his, and Smith's, other work it mixes recognisable, down-to-earth drama with outrageoud, lewd humour.
Unfortunately Funny People isn't that funny. It's a comedy/drama with the emphasis on the drama. At over 2 hours, it's way too long and seems to ramble endlessly. The dick and fart gags are present, but Apatow is too busy trying to create a naturalistic onscreen atmosphere that it sacrafices comic timing for realism. Worst of though is the premise; lead Adam Sandler spend the entire movie pondering disease, death, loneliness, cheating and breaking up marraiges. Perhaps if it wasn't so intent on coming across as realistic, another director could have let the humour breath. As it stands, you feel awkward and depressed from all the heavy shit going down to want to laugh at the dick gags.
On the plus side Adam Sandler shows he really can act while Eric Bana, unrestrained in his natural Ozzie accent shows what a charismatic bloke he can be, if allowed.
I'm never been a fan of Sandler movies, especially the high concept crap of the late 90's, early naughties (50 First Dates good, Longest Yard awful) but Funny People does make me long for the wacky crap of Little Nicky.
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