Movie Review: Funny People
Stephen Shaefer - Boston Herald
Jul 28, 2009
Judd Apatow is Hollywood's go-to guy when it comes to comedy. The writer/director/producer is riding high on a string of such hits as "Knocked Up," "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" and "Superbad."
But for his latest film, Apatow went back to his roots.
"Funny People," starring Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen and Jonah Hill, offers an insider's view of the world of professional comics (Apatow got his start in stand-up).
Sandler plays terminally ill comic superstar George Simmons, whose experimental medical treatment gives him a new lease on life. George hires an aspiring comic (Rogen) as his assistant and gag writer. Now a changed, healthy man, he decides to see his ex (Leslie Mann, also known as Mrs. Apatow) and win her back even though she has a husband (Eric Bana) and two girls (played by the Apatow offspring, Maude and Iris).
For the 41-year-old Apatow, "Funny People" is obviously a personal film but not, he said in a phone interview from his office in Los Angeles, truly autobiographical.
"The funny thing is not a lot of it is actually true, but it's filled with actual details from our lives."
Is Rogen a version of Apatow 20 years ago?
"Seth is an improved version of me; he's what I wish I was when I was young. He's more charismatic, funnier and a better personality than me. I was a boring version of that character."
Twenty years ago, Apatow roomed with Sandler, and a Apatow video made then of the two goofing on the phone opens the film. While everyone should get that it is the young Sandler, few will recognize Apatow.
"That's me being an annoying director making a phone call. I'm not trying to make a big comment about myself. What was more important is you saw how happy (the character George) was making comedy for himself and not making money - and you cut to present day and it's a giant house and he's unhappy."
Although popular, George Simmons isn't cuddly - he can be nasty, self-centered and scarily angry.
"I know a lot of people like that," Apatow said. "Being number one left him alone in a big house and there was nobody to call when he found out he was sick. He didn't have any intimate relationships. You don't have to look far in the world of celebrity for people like that: They're so hungry to be successful, they sacrifice normal connections."
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