Iffy for 16+
Stand-up saga has a foul mouth but brains and heart, too.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that director Judd Apatow's latest comedy is loaded with the strong language (from "f--k" to "p---y" and then some), adult behavior, and sexualized material (including lots of penis jokes and one scene with naked breasts) you'd expect from the man behind Knocked Up and The 40-Year-Old Virgin. But it's also an honest, sincere drama about the challenges of modern life. Look past the crude stuff, and you'll see that this is actually a serious, heartfelt film masquerading as a light comedy.
- Families can talk about how the movie's style of humor impacts its more dramatic themes. Do the two "sides" of the movie go well together? Would the movie be as entertaining if the humor was less crude?
- Doesthe fact that someone's dying automatically make them a better person?And does a reprive from a terminal diagnosis automatically mean that someonewill lead a better life?
- Is stand-up comedy just entertainment, or is it an art form? Arestand-up comedians all tortured artists, or is it something that has its ups and downs?
The good stuff
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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.
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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.
What to watch for
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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.
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Sex: Sex scenes involving nude breasts and blunt talk; love scenes; extensive discussion of sex, infidelity, and more. Lots of penis jokes.
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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.
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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.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Characters drink beer, wine, and hard liquor and, in one scene, smoke marijuana. Stand-up performances take place in bars.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Funny People is not a comedy by Rockie_12
Once I realized that Funny People is a Drama with some funny parts, not a comedy with a little drama, I was able to relax into the movie. If you are expecting Super Bad or even Knocked Up, you ain't gonna get it. That is not to say that I didn't love this movie. Adam Sandler, Leslie Mann, and Seth Rogen were fantastic, really fantastic. It was great to see them in serious roles - and to see them do really well in those roles. I loved all of the cameos. This is sad movie, and it makes you think. Some people will hate this movie, others will call it their favorite. I don't predict there will be many who are neutral. If you have ever felt old, and like you have made some poor choices, you will see yourself in this movie. This is also a movie that will appeal to the 35 plus crowd, more than the younger Super Bad crowd.
3
I liked it except for Sandler by lesodeana
This was a good movie. Though, there are parts that are not so much funny and are rather serious and you are forced to sit through some dramatic moments that you wouldn't expect in a movie that is entitled: "Funny People." Rogan plays a great character who is funny and is very relatable to the crowd. Sadler came off more as the villain, in this film. There wasn't too much good in him. Even when you tried to feel bad for him, it wasn't possible due to his personality that was portrayed. Recommended but be aware that it's not slap stick comedy: it's got a message and it's a tough one to digest if you're not a serious person who just wanted to see a comedy film and got this instead.
4
Not Really a Comedy by lnbee
This is a good movie with lots of food for thought and good performances. It's not a comedy, and it's a shame that the people who created the trailer emphasize the few funny lines. It causes the wrong expectations and will disappoint a lot of people. It was unecessarily long, also. But I'm glad I saw it.
5
Judd Apatow and Adam Sandler grow up...a little bit by movies-4-me
Funny People contains all the vulgar humor that you'd expect from a Judd Apatow movie, but really this is a grown-up movie about grown-up things, and it also shows us that celebrities are people too. Sandler's George Simmons has spent his life basically alone. Alienating people with his abrasive personality, appalling people with his obnoxious humor and movies, and then one day everything changes. And that leaves him with a new assistant (Rogen), reconciling with family and ex-love (Leslie Mann).
And the movie takes us through all this with "****" jokes and raucous humor, but this isn't a 40 Year Old Virgin, or even Knocked Up. Apatow, here becomes a filmmaker, as opposed to a sitcom producer. The movie contains laughs that lead to tears and never leaves you with one or the other and by the end, the characters, while not really changed; have matured. And for that, that makes Funny People a must see!
1
Stick to the humor by rockchica
Dear Mr. Apatow, please don't quit your day job. Leave the drama and or romatic comedy (couldn't really tell what you were going for) to Rob Reiner, Nora Ephron and Ron Howard. Now let me say I absolutely LOVED your other movies. LOVED THEM!!!! And went on blind faith to see another great movie. I waited and waited and waited for the pee in my pants funny parts. NADA. Sure there were a few chuckles but not worth the time. One of the best lines from the trailer wasn't even in the movie (Harry Potter bit.) I would have rather been outside in the 100 degree heat if I had known that this movie has no momentum, no laughter and what seemed like no ending in sight. I actually felt bad for the actors that agreed to do the movie. Adam Sandler, Seth Rogan and his twin geez, sorry you had to go through that. I won't hold it against you. So please Mr. Apatow go back to the gut busting humor that you excel at and no more serious movies, please. I beg you. ( Note to self, check Fandango ratings.)
1
Funny people...... by imndance
Waste of 2 and 1/2 hours of you life and waste of your money! So boring! There were about 25 people in the theater, by the end there was about 10. At least 4+ couples walked out. I am one of the people who didnt walk out like all the others did, because I had other people with me. Of course this is my opinion on "Funny People". I guess it depends on what kind of movie you like....but not one of the people I went to the movies with walked out the door saying "That was an awesome movie!" Slow start and boring, could not wait till it ended. Most Adam Sandler movies are good, this one could have done better.
4
GOOD CHEMISTRY AND LAUGH OUT LOUD MOMENTS by kentbrad4d
I thought this was a very fresh comedy. If you don't like swearing an sex jokes, I'd skip it. If yu can get past that, you'll laugh your butt off. Smartly written and well acted.
4
pretty entertaining by setyon
This was a very entertaining movie with several good laughs, typical Sandler below the belt stuff. I enjoyed it most of the way through, but, as many have said, about 20 minutes too long. Some really funny cameos. It wasn't a typical movie with a lot of weird moments, but overall enjoyable.
3
Not as Good as it Should Be by dbiehle
Great director/writer and cast, but the end result is not as funny or interesting as it should be. The first half of the movie is hilarious. Watching Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen's relationship develop proves to be a lot of fun. But about halfway through the movie, the story switches to one about Sandler and Leslie Mann which turns out to be a lot less interesting, despite the best efforts of Eric Bana. The first plot was so good, why add a second one? Jonah Hill and Jason Schwartzman are very funny in the movie and could have been used much more.
1
OMG SUCKED by hubbard3rd
I thought this was going to be a funny movie. Depressing and just so NOT FUNNY. 2 1/2 hours dragged out way tooo much. DONT GO! Not worth the money at all!