the audience applauded

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

Funny People (2009): Dir: Judd Apatow / Cast: Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Eric Bana, Jonah Hill: Drama comedy about serious undertones. Adam Sandler plays comedian George Simmons who learns that an illness has infected him and he has very little time to live. Lonely, he recruits a struggling standup comedian to tour with him before tracking down a past love. Directed by Judd Apatow with hard hitting screenplay with amusing moments. Apatow has done great work in comedies such as The 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up, and here again he scores with a comedy with deep undertones. Sandler is at his best as a veteran comedian who remains outside the social circles save for the stage. Potential death drives him to address his regrets and discover the value of friendship. Seth Rogen as his recruit pulls off the role of a bad comedian who hooks up with his idol only to learn that his idol is a flawed being. Leslie Mann plays Simmons' past lover who will hook up with him only to come to realize what is right. Eric Bana plays her Australian husband who is a fan of Simmons until he learns of the flirtations. Since he has been unfaithful Mann has him face his lifestyle. Jonah Hill and Jason Schwartzman play Rogen's pals who steal their moments. Strong message regarding our short time and how we need to learn to laugh off our transgressions. Score: 10 / 10

I have this movie in my collection for quite some years... but on blu ray and i didn't had a player until recently when i got my X1. Long story short i bough the DVD, it was in terrible shape, borough it back to the video store, all they had left was a blu ray... which i accepted for later use.So well, straight to point, was it a good movie? Kinda... more on the yes side. The problem is, the movie is at times very funny, at times the jokes and situations fells flat, but more or less, oh my god could it had been wrapped in 120 minutes or less... easily.Sanddler, Rogen and pretty much all the cast do a good job, my gripe comes mostly from the story, as i liked a lot how it start but the second act felt very odd and i didn't like where it was going. Also the ending despite the movie uber long running time, felt abrupt and unresolved...I know this is more like a drama comedy than a real "comedy" but when you watch a Sanddler and Rogen movie, or even more the 2 of them combined, you hope for very funny situations and jokes. Some parts made me chuckle good, but some overlong part really bored me.In any case I'm glad i finally was able to saw it, but i can't say its either among my favourite Sanddler or Rogen movies...I changed my rating like 3 times during this review, i would give it a 6.5 if i could... but i settle for 6 and not 7...I prefer watching pineapple express, Happy Gilmore and other funnier movies.

Funny People is a great movie with a very well developed storyline and a fantastic comedy cast that also do a really good job in scenes when they need to be more dramatic.It's another very well written comedy drama from Judd Apotow,which features a career turn for Adam Sandler,he takes a break from goofy comedies to play a character who really develops as we see him start off as a very pompous character and soon learns from his mistakes and becomes a better man,George Simmons is certainly one of the best performances of his career and without a doubt the character I had the most sympathy for out of everyone he's ever played.Seth Rogen also played a very normal character who I had the most sympathy for,partly because I am a huge fan of Rogen but also because I could really relate to him at times,particularly the awkward situations he was in and the way he just smiles when he can't think of anything to say.The film does bring in some great laughs as well of course,a lot of scenes had me in stitches and there are some quotable lines also.A serious story that still manages to bring in laughs,Funny People is a very enjoyable movie that I would recommend to anyone looking for a good comedy or drama. When a rich comedian finds out he has leukemia,he reconsiders his life,helped by an aspiring comedian.Best Performance: Adam Sandler Worst Performance: Eric Bana

George Simmons (Adam Sandler) is a rich famous jaded comedian who finds out that he dying from leukemia. He's lonely and regrets his relationship with his ex Laura (Leslie Mann). Ira Wright (Seth Rogen) is a struggling young standup. One night, George makes a surprise appearance at the comedy club with Ira following him. George hires Ira to write for him and Ira becomes his best and possibly only friend.Adam Sandler reunites with his former roommate and now writer/director Judd Apatow. He is playing a sadder angrier version of his persona. The use of real life old footage helps sell this character. The subject matter can be challenging and makes for some awkward moments. He's a self-loathing character at the start. On the other hand, Seth Rogen is unadulterated adorableness. He's the low man with his roommates Leo Koenig (Jonah Hill) and mildly-successful douche Mark Taylor Jackson (Jason Schwartzman). He is hilarious. I love his fake crying. And Daisy (Aubrey Plaza) is just as adorable.This is overflowing with comedians. Sometimes it feels like they're passing the torch. The story with Laura gets a little more awkward than necessary. It would be easier for Laura to be a single parent. Although the fight with Clarke (Eric Bana) is funny. This is growth for Apatow stretching out from the gross out outlandish humor or weed humor from Seth Rogen.