Funny People Review

Messages: Despite its crude humor, the movie's messages are actually moving and worthwhile -- about the importance of ethics, the nature and challenge of success, and the way that we often turn pain into laughter even though it doesn't complelety eliminate the underlying problem. This isn't a movie about people making jokes -- it's about people making art.

Role models: While none of the characters in Funny People are anywhere near perfect, that very fact makes them dramatically and morally interesting -- every character in the film at some point has to make a choice about whether or not to do the right thing. Ira makes lots of compromises in the name of money and access, but he questions these things. And George is a self-absorbed success, but his brush with death makes him really think about what it means to be alive.

Violence: One scene of inept (though enthusiastic) scuffling between two people who clearly don't know how to fight. It's played for comedic effect, but some of the slapping gets pretty serious.

Sex: Sex scenes involving nude breasts and blunt talk; love scenes; extensive discussion of sex, infidelity, and more. Lots of penis jokes.

Language: Constant strong language, including (but not limited to ) "f--k," "motherf--ker," "s--t," "balls," "prick," "dick," "c--k," "bitch," "titty," "p---y," "goddamn," "oh my God," and much more. One use of the "N" word, as a descriptive term rather than a racial epithet.

Consumerism: Multiple mentions of commerical brands, services, products, and entertainers as part of conversations or stand-up comedy acts. Specific brands mentioned include Apple, MySpace, Facebook, Yahoo, Craigslist, PayPal, Bud Light, Target, Best Buy, JDate.com, Diet Coke, Wii Fit, Panda Express, and more.

Drinking, drugs and smoking: Characters drink beer, wine, and hard liquor and, in one scene, smoke marijuana. Stand-up performances take place in bars.