Comments on: Apatow’s ‘Funny People’ Shows Us the Dark Side of Comedy (****) http://the-frat-pack.com/2009/08/02/funny-people-review/ Sat, 11 Feb 2012 11:31:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Kevin Crossman http://the-frat-pack.com/2009/08/02/funny-people-review/comment-page-1/#comment-299 Kevin Crossman Mon, 03 Aug 2009 06:10:53 +0000 http://the-frat-pack.com/?p=1068#comment-299 I thought it was great! I really liked the dramatic stuff, especially some nice closeups of Sandler at the beginning and end of the movie. This is very much like The Break Up, a dramatic storyline with funny dialogue. And it plays against conventions. It's very much in the Frat Pack "manchild" mold, with a bit of Tropic Thunder style Hollywood satire. What this movie lacks are big comedic set-pieces akin to the chest waxing scene, the sleepwalking, or the trip to Las Vegas. And, for some, that might be a big problem. I happened to like the things in this movie and was impressed overall. It's true the third act doesn't live up to acts one and two, but there's a nice prologue that makes all the actions in act three worth it. And, as much as Sandler and Mann are being (worthily) praised, the standout performance is from Seth Rogen who handles his duties extremely well in a very tricky role. I thought it was great! I really liked the dramatic stuff, especially some nice closeups of Sandler at the beginning and end of the movie. This is very much like The Break Up, a dramatic storyline with funny dialogue. And it plays against conventions. It’s very much in the Frat Pack “manchild” mold, with a bit of Tropic Thunder style Hollywood satire.

What this movie lacks are big comedic set-pieces akin to the chest waxing scene, the sleepwalking, or the trip to Las Vegas. And, for some, that might be a big problem. I happened to like the things in this movie and was impressed overall. It’s true the third act doesn’t live up to acts one and two, but there’s a nice prologue that makes all the actions in act three worth it.

And, as much as Sandler and Mann are being (worthily) praised, the standout performance is from Seth Rogen who handles his duties extremely well in a very tricky role.

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