Sandler plays George Simmons, a mega movie star and comedian who has everything in the world, but is ultimately unhappy with his legacy of crappy films and lonely existence. When he finds out he is dying of a rare blood disease, he sets out to recapture parts of his life that will make him happy and give him closure. After a depressing and dark stand-up performance at a local improv, Simmons comes across struggling comedian Ira Wright (played expertly by Seth Rogen). George sees potential in Ira and hires him as his assistant/joke writer/opening act and brings him into his world. Ira gets to see the dark side of George, a man he grew up idolizing and he is the only one who George confides in about his illness.
Ultimately, this leads to George reuniting with "the one who got away", the love of his life Laura (Apatow's wife Leslie Mann in another solid performance). She is now married with two kids to an Australian businessman named Clarke (hilariously portrayed by Eric Bana), who also has not been faithful to her. Sparks begin to fly during George and Laura's reunion, so George and Ira travel to Laura's house to spend a weekend after a comedy show. To their surprise, Clarke returns early from a business trip, creating an awkward situation that leaves George wanting Laura to choose between them, and will ultimately result in everyone's lives changing for good.
That's a just brief synopsis of a great movie that has so much going on, but manages to balance it all perfectly. Adam Sandler delivers his best performance, even better than Punch-Drunk Love. He brings a sense of real emotion to the character of George, as basically it seems to play as an extension of his real self. The entire movie carries a feeling of reality to it, as it's in an essence a bunch of real friends going through life events. There are emotional moments, but nothing contrived; there are no happy, perfect endings. Every character is flawed and human, and the events unfold as they likely would in reality, which was such a breath of fresh air from your standard Hollywood fare.
Most people didn't like this movie because it was not what they were expecting. People complained that it wasn't a typical Sandler movie, nor was it a typical Rogen/Apatow film, a la Knocked Up or Superbad. In the end, what you end up with is a serious character drama sprinkled with the humor of the aforementioned people and it works well if you can handle it. Some people cannot, and thus complained that this movie was too unconventional and hard to get into. I find that extremely surprising, as I have now seen this movie six times, and I remain as engrossed with it as I did the first time. I'm just fascinated with the story, the emotional response it elicits from me is unlike any I have really got out of a movie in a long time.
Another gripe people had was none of the characters were likable. That's true, because, in essence, they are human, and not perfect. Usually in a movie you have a clear cut hero, an antagonist, a love interest, and somehow everything is tied together perfectly. Sandler is supposed to be the central character, and we are supposed to sympathize with him, but really George Simmons is a terrible person. Selfish and bitter, he uses his disease to manipulate the lives of others, and even when he gets better, still tries to use it to his advantage. Every character in this movie has their good side and bad side, and the movie isn't afraid to show it.
I would be remiss to not mention the supporting cast. Jonah Hill and Jason Schwartzmann play Ira's buddies Leo and Mark. Jonah is his usual clever, raunchy self and really brings his a-game here as the rising stand-up comic Leo. Schwartzmann just oozes douche-baggery as Mark, the self-absorbed womanizing star of the crappy sitcom "Yo Teach". Leo and Mark are the two consistently funny characters in the film and provide comic relief whenever onscreen. Jason Schwartzmann has been kind of an unsung comedic actor for awhile, and hopefully this leads to him getting more mainstream work. He also composed the awesome score for this movie, with it's low-key acoustic guitars setting the tone of the film perfectly.
Funny People is a triumph on every level. It will definitely make you laugh, maybe make you cry and put a lot of things in life in different perspectives. It sheds light on living your life to the fullest at all times and has good lessons on love and knowing when to let things go. If you want a movie with a great story, real emotion and relatable (if not likable) characters, please watch this movie. Maybe it will become as big a part of your life as it has mine. One of the best films of 2009.
RATING: 4 out of 4 stars
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