Judd Apatow has accomplished what many directors have attempted but failed to do: blend raunchy comedy with a moderate dose of heart. As seen in "Knocked Up" and "The Forty Year Old Virgin", Apatow is able to create a hilarious and poignant romp that doesn't treat its characters or setup like a complete joke. With each of his films, Apatow has seemingly increased his flair for real life dramatics, while still maintaining his dirty joke mantra. This is why it should come to no one's surprise that Apatow's newest film "Funny People" has a storyline that is far more serious and adult than his previous endeavors. After all, the film takes a somewhat dark look at life and death, as its main character George Simmons (played by Adam Sandler) is diagnosed with a rare, deadly blood disorder.
So, first off I'd like to commend Apatow for taking a risk with this film. He is branching out and in many respects growing as a writer and director. Surely he could've stayed content with writing dick jokes and banking $100 million at the box office, but there is something quite bold in his effort. Certainly "Funny People" isn't a perfect film, but it has moments of brevity that I never really expected out of Apatow. This is not only a testament to his writing ability, but also his ability as a director to contain and maintain a scene and his actors. His ability to get the best out of his actors is best demonstrated in the performance of Adam Sandler, who shows a depth and range that he has only effectively reached in "Punch-Drunk Love", a film that channels Sandler's boyish rage into fits of love. That same rage is channeled here, but in a more subdued way;one that Sandler's character aims at himself as he fills with regret. With such a character that bounces in between self pity and anger, Apatow and Sandler could've created a character devoid of any sympathy, but alas Apatow and Sandler handle the character with grace and dignity as they flesh him out into a tragic figure with reasoning. We come to understand him as fragile goods.
Aside from a direction standpoint, Apatow demonstrates that he knows how to write drama , but also shows he is a little rough around the edges. I say this entirely because "Funny People" feels like two different movies rolled into one. The first half of the film follows George Simmons as he comes to grip with his now fading life, while befriending Ira Wright (played effectively by Seth Rogen), an aspiring comedian looking for his big break. The two create a bond that is quite moving and consistently funny as they ponder over the "what was" and "what could've been" in regards to their lives. This half of the film is where Apatow is at his best as he balances the morose idea of death with the hilarity and awkwardness of everyday life. Even more so, Apatow delivers a rather introspective look at not only fame, but also the construction of a comedian. Granted, we've seen the ideal of fame placed on the cross numerous times, but very few films have deconstructed it in the vain of a comedian. This different vantage point allows for the first half of the film to be a breath of fresh air.
With me now done gushing over the first half of the film, I must say that the second half is definitely weak. The last half follows George (along with Ira) as he attempts to regain the love of the one girl who got away, Laura (played by Leslie Mann). Now, this particular half gets my respect because it refuses to create a storybook ending for George and in many ways is a great challenge for Apatow's characters, but it ultimately feels like the love story of another movie. There are certainly great moments, but when considered in its entirety, it lacks a proper segue, or any legitimate set up from the first half. Certainly we know George and Ira, but they're the only established parts of the half. George's love interest Laura never has a full introduction prior to this point and suddenly she is whisked in with George and a redemptive love story begins. Now, had Apatow or his editor addressed this issue, the film would've been cohesive and one entity, yet this aspect was not achieved. I must reiterate that my knocking of the second half doesn't necessarily mean it's bad. It was certainly rushed, but I actually liked it to a degree. Hell, I would even go as far to say that it's funnier than the first half, but when looked at in comparison to what came before it, the experience of the second half is a disjointed one at best.
This notion makes me a little depressed considering that if Apatow would've honed in on the second half and created a proper arc regarding the character of Laura, "Funny People" would've arguably been the best comedy to come out of this decade. Obviously the film is funny which should be expected, but had the dramatic flair matched across the board, it would've truly been a crowning achievement for Apatow. Instead, we're left with a flawed film that seems like two different pieces from two different pies. But, Apatow's ambition, the performances, the jokes, and a stirring first half make up for a disjointed, if not amusing second half. Certainly nothing to be ashamed of Mr. Apatow.
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