Funny People (2009) ***

Funny People is an examination of the world of comedy from both ends of the spectrum- the ones that have nothing to the ones that have everything. The lesson we learn is that none of them are happy about it. The film stars Adam Sandler as George Simmons, a conglomeration of stand up comics, including himself, that finds out he's dying. He decides to do some stand up shows, happening on Ira Wright (Seth Rogen), an aspiring comic who is better at his day job slinging meat at a deli. Eventually Ira becomes George's assistant as George goes through the whole "I'm going to die process" only to find out he's not dying. Does George learn anything? Not really and continues to make his own life miserable while he takes Ira along for the ride.

Funny People starts out great. I'll be the first to admit it. Following both lives in the comedy world is actually interesting and entertaining, especially when you throw in Ira's roommates played by Jonah Hill and Jason Schwatzman and George's old flame Laura (Leslie Mann). I was really into this movie until the last third, when they spend and eternity at Laura's house. It was like taking the Concorde and slamming it into the moon. This section feels like watching the second hand tick during your last class period of the day. I don't know if someone failed to have the balls to say that "You could probably cut this a bit" or what but this section is the biggest failure of the movie and the thing that takes it from a good movie to average. Perhaps director Judd Apatow got a little pretentious with this film and particularly this section because his wife and kids were in it- over and over again.

That's probably the hardest pill to swallow. I like all of Apatow and Co.'s previous work, but Funny People feels like a glamour project from it's length to some of the scenes that go way too long. Rogen tends to great on you, but- and I can't believe I'm saying this- Sandler is great in his role. It's a funny movie, but it drags a bit. No, it drags a lot.