When seasoned comedian George Simmons learns of his terminal, inoperable health condition, his desire to form a genuine friendship causes him to take a relatively green performer under his w... Read allWhen seasoned comedian George Simmons learns of his terminal, inoperable health condition, his desire to form a genuine friendship causes him to take a relatively green performer under his wing as his opening act.When seasoned comedian George Simmons learns of his terminal, inoperable health condition, his desire to form a genuine friendship causes him to take a relatively green performer under his wing as his opening act.
- Awards
- 3 nominations
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe opening video with the prank calls is a real video shot by Judd Apatow when he and Adam Sandler were younger. The two other people appearing in this video are Janeane Garofalo and Ben Stiller.
- GoofsThe MySpace gig takes place far enough away that George and Ira take a private plane. At the end of scene, he gets two girls to go back to his place. But at the end of those scenes the girls leave on their own, apparently left to their own resources to get back.
- Quotes
Eminem: Everyone in this fucking room is either staring at us, wanting to take a fucking picture.
Ira Wright: [Ira takes a picture of Eminem and George from across the room] Yeah. Got it.
Ray Romano: E-mail that to me.
Ira Wright: I will. That's awesome.
Ray Romano: Yeah.
Eminem: Who the fuck is that guy right there?
Eminem: [Eminem points at Ray] That fucking guy right there.
George Simmons: What? Ray Romano's bothering you?
Eminem: Who? Ray, Ray who?
George Simmons: Ray Romano, the guy from Everybody Loves Raymond.
Eminem: I don't give a fuck what show he's on. I'll fuck this motherfucker up, man!
George Simmons: Hey.
Eminem: Hey, Ray!
Ray Romano: Hello, Marshall.
Eminem: Fucking problem here, buddy?
[Ray shakes his head confused]
Eminem: Would you like to fuck me? Is that what this is?
Ray Romano: [to Ira] I don't get it, man. What's going on?
Eminem: Would you like me to fucking bend over for you right now?
Ira Wright: [whispering] Say no.
Ray Romano: No, man.
Eminem: [to George] I just gotta always be on my toes, man. You know?
George Simmons: I see that, but not with Ray Romano.
Ray Romano: [to Ira] This is why I don't go out of the house.
Ira Wright: I thought everybody loved you.
- Crazy creditsJudd Apatow's daughter's cover of Memory is played during the credits.
- Alternate versionsRegion 1 (US) DVD release includes an unrated version of the movie with a running time of 2 hours 32 minutes.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 81st Annual Academy Awards (2009)
- SoundtracksGreat Day
Written by Paul McCartney
Performed by Paul McCartney
Courtesy of MPL Communications Ltd./Inc.
This, however, didn't prepare me for his newest, Funny People. Apatow has become well known for his sweet, adult comedies, but this movie is very different from his others. I would almost call it a "funny drama." This has it's pros and cons. I don't think I laughed out loud as much as in either of the other two films, but what I got in return, is an actual good movie, that's actually ABOUT something.
I liked Adam Sandler before I knew what a good movie was, as I grew up watching his lighter movies, like Waterboy, Happy Gilmore, etc. I've seen him so much that he ceased becoming an actor to me and actually reached a point of self-parody. His role as comedian George Simmons is perfect for him, because he's basically playing himself, to a point. He gives the performance of his life, even better than Punch-Drunk- Love. His portrayal is cold and confused, angry and hurt. It's what a comedian might truly be like when he's not on stage. He plays it perfectly, providing a likable character while at the same time showing us there might not be so much to like. He's the best part of this movie, and that's saying something
The supporting cast is great, as usual. Seth Rogan actually plays a different character than his other movies as Ira, who acts as a great foil to George Simmons. Jason Schwartzman and Jonah Hill provide some great comedic backup, including their hilarious fictional sitcom "Yo, Teach". In fact, a lot of the laugh out loud comedy from the film stems from the many supporting performances and cameos (My favorites being Marshall Mathers and James Taylor). Eric Bana is very funny, and Leslie Mann gives an impressive performance as well.
Funny People's only real problem is it's ambition, and that's definitely the best problem to have. It's nearly two and a half hours, and while I didn't have a problem with the length, it obviously had to end when it did, as there aren't many people who would want to sit through a three hour comedy. I wish it could have ran even longer, as some subplots weren't fleshed out nearly enough. I really liked the romance between Ira and Daisy (Played by Aubrey Plaza, who is sweet and funny in every scene she's in), but it was rushed, and in the end cut short, which is a shame, because it's one of the best parts of the movie.
Above all, this is a real movie. It's success doesn't just depend on the amount of laughs it receives. Thanks to Sandler and a thought provoking story, this is more than just another raunchy-sweet comedy. The movie will definitely divide people more than the others, and I'm not sure it will find as big of an audience. Judd Apatow has improved tremendously with each movie he's directed, and, despite his detractors, he's going to be the king of the comedy movie for a long, long time.
- cwood0609
- Jul 30, 2009
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Untitled Judd Apatow/Adam Sandler Project
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $75,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $51,855,045
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $22,657,780
- Aug 2, 2009
- Gross worldwide
- $71,585,235
- Runtime2 hours 26 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1