Funny People

Judd Apatow should have a little less fun making movies, and give us a little more by serving up less. This film would have been better shorter -- less diffuse, less all things to all people (and therefore little to any). That said, there’s a lot of good stuff in the movie. Adam Sandler has proved himself to be an intriguingly off-putting actor, and Seth Rogen has not worn out his welcome yet. The world of stand-up comedy is intimately familiar to all involved, so there is some personal truth in the playing out of the movie, though muffled some by shtick and sentiment, however ambiguous. Sandler is -- quite a stretch -- a ridiculously successful movie comedian, who gets a death sentence from his doctor, and hires fledgling stand-up Rogen to be his flunky and fake friend. About when the story should be wrapping up, it takes a twist and goes on and on. Not that it’s all bad – we’re happy to see Mrs. Apatow (Leslie Mann) and their two kids – but the opportunity for focus and resolution is past. Maybe Judd is nostalgic for the run-on pleasures of a series -- such as the immortal Freaks and Geeks -- where he can let all his friends strut their stuff. This baby has an amusing face, and a good heart despite a potty mouth, but needs to lose a few pounds before it’s really attractive. (2009, dvd.) *6+ * (MC-60)