Die Laughing
Funny People
Review by Ross Anthony

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 --


  • Funny People. Copyright © 2009.
  • Starring Jonah Hill, Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Eric Bana, Jason Schwartzman, RZA, Ken Jeong. Written and Directed by Judd Apatow, Produced by Judd Apatow, Barry Mendel, Clayton Townsend at Universal Pictures.

Grade..........................A- (3/4)


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Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186. Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow.


Last Modified: Tuesday, 04-Aug-2009 11:20:51 PDT