Gangly, long, somewhat disjointed, but still very funny, I found “Funny People” surprisingly emotional, and even poignant.

Adam Sandler is just barely old-enough to play a well-known successful comedian (George Simmons), adored, and loved by all except himself. A serious disease interrupts his indulgent empty life causing him to reconsider a great many things. Into that moment walks Ira (Seth Rogen) as the new waiter, go-for, bedtime story reader, and joke writer.

It’s a movie about the lives of comedians, almost a bromance, but because of the assistant/internship angle progresses with the feel of “Scent of a Woman.”

As with other Apatow films, you can expect a lot of verbal obscenities. As Adam Sandlers’s character says (and I paraphrase), “If I cut out all the fart and private part jokes, I’d lose half my set.”

Despite its potty-mouth, the film sports a sweet respectable theme, “integrity, friends, self-love, without these, money, fame, success are empty.” The film isn’t subtle about this theme when applied to the Sandler character, but I would have liked to see it echoed in Rogen’s character (especially with respect to his dealing with the triple X version of himself.)

Lastly, how refreshing to see the Aussie Eric Bana. He’s so much more fun in his own nationality.

-- Books by Author/Illustrator Ross Anthony --