Funny People DVD Review

Funny People is a romantic comedy movie released on DVD from Universal Studios on November 24th.  Directed by Judd Apatow, the film features the regular cast of stars that are common place to Apatow’s movies.

The movie tells the story of seasoned comedian George Simmons (Adam Sandler), who learns of his terminal, inoperable health condition. Despite his financial and career success, along with his ability to bed women, George feels alone. His desire to form a genuine friendship causes him to take a relatively green performer, Ira (Seth Rogen) under his wing as his opening act.

Ira begins writing jokes for George and also by default, and in lieu of his $1,500 per week salary, he becomes his personal assistant, and then his friend.  The two travel together performing at various gigs, while George undergoes treatment with a test program to try to cure his condition.

Funny People offers a romantic storyline as George tries to rekindle a flame with his lost love interest, Laura (Leslie Mann).  The obstacle is her Australian businessman husband, Clarke (Eric Bana).

Funny People is a funny movie about friendships, romantic flings, and comedy.  It is loaded with great cameos, including one of the movie’s funniest moments, a back and forth exchange at a restaurant between Ray Romano and Eminem.

What makes Funny People a success, is the brilliant chemistry among the ensemble cast, which helps tone down the sometimes over the top antics that turn some people off from Adam Sandler movies.  Jonah Hill and Jason Schwartzman play friends of Ira’s, and are involved in some of the funniest exchanges.

Leslie Mann is brilliant and underrated.  She is a regular in romantic comedy movies directed by her husband (Apatow) and has an indelible beauty and charm that makes her characters likable.  There are also plenty of great scenes where Sandler and Rogen get to show off their stand up comedy talents on the road.

If you can get past the tremendously vulgar language and crude themes in Funny People, you are sure to have an entertaining experience.  The Funny People Unrated DVD is definitely not for younger audiences as there are several moderately involved sex scenes to coincide with the aforementioned adult elements. The Funny People Soundtrack is also top notch with cool new hits and great classics!

MPAA Rating: Unrated/R
Running Time: 146 Minutes
DVD Release Date: November 24, 2009

Grade: B+

Director: Judd Apatow
Starring: Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Jason Schwartzman and Eric Bana

DVD Review by Neil of Movie Room Reviews

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