Funny People (R16)
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DVD Reviews
Judd Apatow teams up with Adam Sandler, but the result is likely to confound expectations.
Rather than playing one of his manchild dunces or treacly sweet rom-com leads, Sandler has his most serious role since Reign Over Me and Punchdrunk Love.
His George Simmons, a comedian whose career is similar to Sandler's, lives a self-absorbed, hedonistic life, which caves in when he's diagnosed with leukaemia and is likely to die.
George sets out to reconnect with alienated family and Laura (Leslie Mann), the love of his life. When given a second chance at life, can a contrite George find redemption and resist his old, selfish ways?
While the story has Apatow's trademark ribald humour, it's more serious than silly, more earnest than frivolous, and more emotionally honest than sentimental.
A good supporting cast helps, especially Seth Rogen as a fledgling stand-up comic George hires as an assistant, and Eric Bana as Laura's macho Aussie husband. But it's Apatow and Sandler's movie, both doing enough to keep viewers off-balance and entertained.
- Reviews by David Manning; DVDs for review supplied by United Video, Nelson.
- © Fairfax NZ News
