Adam Sandler + Seth Rogen = Funny People
Given a cast of Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen and Jonah Hill, and the guiding hand of director and writer Judd Apatow (”Knocked Up” and “The 40-Year-Old Virgin”), perhaps there is no more appropriate title than simply “Funny People.”
Which is saying something, since “Funny People” frequently treads into the darker realms of comedy.
Sandler leads the cast as George Simmons, an A-list Hollywood comedian whose fame and fortune has brought him a beautiful mansion on the beach, lots of luck with the ladies and, as the audience soon discovers, a life of loneliness.
Sandler is quick to point out that he and his character have little in common.
“I can’t really say this guy is me; he’s not living my life,” says Sandler, who is married with two children. “The movie star thing we have in common; we have a few mood swings in common. … But the lifestyle and the attitude is not really me.”
George’s biggest problem isn’t his desolation, however. He’s been diagnosed with a leukemia-like terminal disease, prompting him to get back to his roots and do more stand-up comedy.
Along the way, he hires struggling comedian Ira Wright, played by Rogen, to pen jokes for him and act as his personal assistant. Despite hurling an occasional insult at Ira, George learns to trust his new, eager-to-please sidekick.
The feeling isn’t always mutual. Ira is forced to adapt to his boss’ constant mood swings, erratic behavior as he deals with the fear of dying and deep regret at losing Laura (Leslie Mann), the only woman he ever loved. However, Ira does earn a steady paycheck — and gets a taste of show business.
Rogen, who says he wouldn’t be in comedy if he never saw Sandler’s movies while he was growing up, says “Funny People” paints an accurate picture of the ups and downs of comedians who are just starting out.
“It’s an incredibly realistic representation,” Rogen says. “Those scenes where you’re backstage at the comedy club and you’re all sitting around pitching jokes to each other. It’s exactly like that.”
Apatow, who performed stand-up comedy earlier in his career, says, “It is an ode to stand-up. I’ve always been a crazy fan of stand-up comedians. Jonathan Winters … Don Rickles, things like that.”
Apatow, who knows he’s taking a risk with “Funny People’s” mix of light and darkness, made a wisecrack about his hopes for the film at the Los Angeles premiere.
“Well, I think there’s 10 movies that are going to be up for best picture this year, and we definitely are shooting for No. 16,” he says.
The cast also took some risks, performing stand-up in front of live audiences for the film — and, occasionally, watching their jokes fall flat.
Hill says he had never done stand-up before and calls the experience “terrifying.”
“It can be brutal out there,” Rogen adds.
Sandler, the most seasoned comedian by far, remembers his first days onstage and can relate.
“It’s all about your last set,” he recalls. “If I did good Wednesday … all day Thursday, I was in a good mood.
“Then Thursday night comes around and I go onstage and if I did bad, Friday was a miserable time for everyone.”
Adam Richard Sandler (born September 9, 1966) is an American comedian, actor, musician, screenwriter and film producer. After becoming a Saturday Night Live cast member, he went on to star in several Hollywood feature films that grossed over US$100 million at the box office.[1] Though he is best known for his comedic roles, such as in the films Billy Madison (1995), Happy Gilmore (1996), Big Daddy (1999) and Mr. Deeds (2002), he has also had success in romantic and dramatic roles, such as in the films The Wedding Singer (1998), Punch-Drunk Love (2002), Spanglish (2004), Reign Over Me (2007), and Funny People (2009).
Seth Rogen (born April 15, 1982) is a Canadian actor, comedian, writer and film producer. Rogen began his career doing stand-up comedy for four years during his teens, coming in second place in the Vancouver Amateur Comedy Contest when he was 16. While still living in his native Canada, he auditioned for (and ultimately landed) a supporting role in Freaks and Geeks. After he moved to Los Angeles for the role, Freaks and Geeks was canceled after one season. He then got a part on the equally short-lived Undeclared, which also hired him as a staff writer.
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