MOVIE OF THE WEEK (7/30/09): FUNNY PEOPLE

KEY CAST MEMBERS: Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Jonah Hill, Jason Schwartzman, Eric Bana, Aubrey Plaza and The RZA

WRITER: Judd Apatow

DIRECTOR: Judd Apatow

RATING: R (language, violence, nudity)

WEB SITE: http://www.funnypeoplemovie.com

THE PLOT: Successful comedian turned actor George Simmons (Sandler) has it all: Fame, fortune and a career most stand-up comics would kill for. He also has a rare blood condition that he only has an 8 percent chance of surviving.
Meanwhile, Ira Wright (Rogen) is a struggling newbie in the stand-up world who has to work a job at a deli with his co-worker Chuck (The RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan) who is less than impressed with his comedic talents. Making matters worse, Ira lives with his rapidly rising stand-up buddy Leo (Hill) and Mark (Schwartzman), star of the hit (and not funny) fictional NBC sitcom Yo Teach!

Ira's life changes, however, when George takes a liking to him after watching him perform at the Comedy and Magic Club in Hermosa Beach, Cali. ira is more than happy to do whatever George needs to make it ... And while George has everything in the world, he doesn't have the one thing Ira might just be: A true friend.

So how does Laura (Mann) fit into the picture? You'll have to see the movie to find out ...

THE TAKE: Like all of Apatow's films since first hitting it big with The 40 Year-Old Virgin, Funny People entertains for the reasons all of its predecessors have: [1] Funny, laugh out loud moments of dialogue other comedies can't match [2] Actors who craft relateable characters that you become emotionally invested in without feeling forced into it and [3] Last but not least, the exploration of various facets of life (love, what "success" really means and regrets) with a sense of honesty and realism.

Sandler has come a long way since his days of making funny faces and weird noises; while he has shined in dramatic roles before, People might be his most in-depth performance yet as George is a character he is no doubt personally familiar with. While he has a family and is by all accounts of the word successful, he knows the struggles of a stand-up comedian, a star who is growing older and one who has done some roles that, in retrospect, probably wishes he had not. Mann continues to show she is more than just Apatow's real-life wife who also acts as she does a worthy job of serving as the trigger for many of George's retrospective moments.

Likewise, Rogen (a.k.a. the new Sandler) continues to show his range as the upstart but genuine Ira, a young man who's own sense of ethics might be greatest hindrance to achieving his goals. While the path most young comics take isn't as quick as his is in the film (Author's note: As a young comedian now in his third year of the business, I know this to be true first-hand), Rogen does a decent job at showing some of the struggles and burdens of being a non-famous comic.

Laughs-wise, People deliver as the entire cast gets its chance to deliver their share of jokes - both on stage and off - throughout the movie. (As Laura's international traveling, Aussie rules football loving husband, Bana is funny enough to make even the most die-hard hater of Hulk finally give up their grudge.) Throw in a ton of cameos from stand-up comedians - and one other very famous hip-hop star - great timing and well-crafted dialogue and People is funny - and a solid film from start to finish.

RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):