George Simmons (Adam Sandler) is a successful comedian and movie star who lives in a luxurious mansion overlooking the Pacific Ocean, travels in his own private jet, and has no friends. Wherever he goes, fans swarm around him. This is not enough for his insatiable ego, especially after he finds out from his doctor that he has leukemia and may not have long to live.
Wanting to have someone around during the last stage of his life, George randomly chooses Ira Wright (Seth Rogen), a struggling comedian, to be his personal assistant. This average guy has no trouble leaving behind his two housemates, Mark (Jason Schwartzman), star of a TV sitcom, and Leo (Jonah Hill), a rising comedian who is very competitive. George lets Ira write some jokes for him which he uses at various well-paid gigs. At night, because he has trouble falling asleep alone, he requires his assistant to sit by his bed and talk to him. Ira has mixed feelings about his new job and is not happy when George humiliates or treats him badly. He learns that his boss, like his roommate Mark, is a hedonist who has regular one-night stands with his female fans. Ira, on the other hand, is awkward around women and has trouble getting a date with Daisy (Aubrey Plaza), another aspiring comedian.
Funny People is written and directed by Judd Apatow (The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up) who has a knack for creating very funny dialogue (note the scene between George and a Swedish doctor) and endearing characters whose crude and rude language will be familiar to Peter Pan males who frequent sports events. The film reveals the difficulty young men and women on the comedy club circuit have in establishing their own voice and road to success. But the main thrust of the drama is George's quest for meaning as he faces death. He rightly believes that his life has been empty and wants to transform it into something more noble and generous.
Nearly two thirds of the way into the film, the writer and director shifts gears and sends George off to Marin County in hot pursuit of Laura (Leslie Mann), his former lover who is now married to Clarke (Eric Bans), an Australian, and the mother of two daughters. She laments having her first genuine love affair ruined by George's infidelity and she regrets the collapse of her acting career. In this suburban setting, the celebrity humorist reveals his true colors and stuns both Laura and Ira, who reluctantly has accompanied his boss on the trip.
Funny People is a mixed bag that will appeal to Apatow's legion of loyal fans. On a serious note, the film does reveal in a realistic way how difficult it is to put ourselves on the path of spiritual transformation when the ego keeps playing its old tapes and we give in to the compulsions which have driven us most of our lives.
Special features on the DVD include classic stand-up footage From Sandler and Rogen; over 35 minutes of deleted and extended scenes; "Line-O-Rama"; "Funny People Diaries" - a documentary in four parts; "Yo-Teach!" - episode and behind-the-scenes; "Raaaaaaaandy! Documentary"; the films of George Simmons; Adam Sandler's prank phone call; a feature commentary with director Judd Apatow, Adam Sandler, and Seth Rogen; and a gag reel.
