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Adam Sandler. Now there is a name that conjures up many images. The nonsense-speaking charming young man that made us laugh at his ludicrous nature on “Saturday Night Live.” The eternal adolescent boxing Bob Barker during a golf tournament. Whether he was strumming a guitar or teaching us the importance of making sure our H2O was clean and tasty, Sandler made us laugh. It might not have always been your personal humor (certainly didn’t always fit my tastes), but chances were good he could elicit a smile. Now that he has joined forces with the darling of contemporary humorous films, Judd Apatow, in “Funny People,” I would say we stand a good chance of enjoying a good film. However, we know how that usually turns out.
George Simmons (Sandler) has it all. A comedic legend, Simmons has made millions with his outlandish, family-friendly comedies, but ironically he has no family of his own to speak of. When Simmons’ doctor informs him that he has a life-threatening disease, he realizes just how alone he is. He begins doing standup again, but his diagnosis has caused him to become somewhat darker than his audience is used to hearing. After a silent response, Simmons rethinks his current outlook. A struggling comedian named Ira Wright (Seth Rogen) follows him onstage that evening, and after a good performance, finds himself in the fantasy-like position of being offered a job writing for Simmons.
Simmons shows Ira a world he could have only imagined. Women, lavish hotels, million dollar homes and private jets leave the awestruck young comedian thanking his lucky stars. It is a long way from the pull-out couch he occupies in the apartment shared with his friends who also find themselves in the comedy game: Leo (Jonah Hill) and Mark (Jason Schwartzman). More importantly, they are Ira’s support system. He realizes that Simmons seemingly has everything, but no real friends.
As Simmons fights the disease, and cure, ravaging his body, he contacts folks from his past, including the only love of his life, the now-married Laura (Leslie Mann). During a show in San Francisco, Ira and Simmons decide to catch up with Laura and say hi. Old feelings begin to surface, and Ira soon must decide between what he believes is the right thing and his new friend’s desires.
Apatow delivers again, making him three for three in the director’s chair. This charmingly funny look at what really matters in life contains the exact mix of comedy and drama that have become the hallmarks of Apatow’s career. He has reintroduced classic, mature comedy back into American culture, and we’re all the better for it. He is joined by many of the usual suspects found in his previous films including Hill and Mann and Hollywood big dog Eric Bana, who lends credibility, but perhaps most important is Rogen, who proves that he has it with another solid outing. Apatow also used the film’s standup comedy undertones to gather up a veritable who’s who of comedy legends in cameo capacity including Paul Reiser, Dave Attell and Sarah Silverman. Throw in hip-hop icons Eminem and RZA, and you’ve got one helluva party.
The real surprise for most will be the performance of Sandler. He subtly gives one of the stronger performances of the year. Now, admittedly, he benefits from an incredibly weak crop of film thus far, but that in no way should diminish his great performance in this film. He showed a maturity and depth never glimpsed before in his work, but it’s gladly accepted now.
“Funny People” is easily one of the best films so far this year, and I recommend it highly. It is a dirty/sweet ride that leaves you completely entertained and equally introspective, not an easy feat for a comedy clocking in at two hours and 30 minutes.
Rating: W W W W