Funny People

He's stupid successful, so I can't criticize, but I'm fairly certain that Judd Apatow only makes movies so he can hang out with his friends and family all day long at work. Nice work if you can get it. His movies are great, and they make the big bucks, but often I find myself thinking perhaps all of his casting choices aren't the best. Luckily for him, his wife Leslie Mann is amazing, and great in every role his gives her. Funny People was just okay. It was way too long. I'd like to meet the editor, because he left about 45 minutes of crap in there. Adam Sandler's character is an uber wealthy movie star, so he can afford to hire someone to "talk him to sleep". I get it, he can't sleep, he used to have friends that did it for him, but now he is alone and has to pay someone to. Got it. I don't need to see 10 minutes of him being talked to sleep every night. I just don't. The highlight is that Adam Sandler is making fun of himself in the movie. His washed up character makes stupid movies where he talks in stupid voices and is basically not even funny. Sound familiar? Yeah...that's basically what Adam Sandler's deal is.

So Adam's character (George) has some incurable cancer and is going to die in months. He reconnects with his first love (Leslie Mann, now married with children), goes back to stand up comedy (at first unsuccessfully) and hires a new writer/assistant (Seth Rogan's Ira). He takes some hocus pocus holistic remedies and is cured. Cancer gone - life back on track. He had an epiphany. He realized he doesn't want this empty life of banging hot chicks and living in a mansion. He wants the quiet life with his old lover, kids, and a house in the suburbs. He has that for about three seconds when he bores of it. He has no interest in the children or a quiet life or settling down. He's a selfish, egotistical, know it all who doesn't want to accommodate anyone ever. Meanwhile, his old lover has renewed her love of him, decided she's bored of her husband and is ready to leave him for George, and bring her kids to live with him. George of course, doesn't want what's being offered him. He wants to live in a bubble where he can have his old flame, but still live his new life.

He treats Ira like crap. Ira who stood by him in death, does his dirty work and takes no credit, and keeps George out of all kinds of trouble. It's not until the last moments of the movie that George mans up and apologizes, and appreciates Ira. You get the impression George learned nothing, except that he really doesn't want the boring life in the suburbs with 2.5 kids and a 9-5 job.

Too long Judd. Give me a call, I'll tell you what to cut. Because there is a lot.