Funny People is the third film from Hollywood's new iconic comedy director Judd Apatow. Apatow despite having only made two previous films as director (The 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up) has had a tremendous impact on film comedies. Apatow has even helped produce some of these films that mimic his wit and style like Forgetting Sarah Marshall and Superbad. Besides the quirky and usually blue humor that mark Apatow's work he also does a good job bringing charm and character development to a compelling story.

Funny People is Apatow's latest which deals with a comedian who finds out he's dying of a form of Leukemia. George Simmons (Adam Sandler) has lived the high life for a long time and finds out just how lonely it is at the top. After learning of the shocking news of his illness, Simmons does a really dark set at a comedy club. Ira Wright (Seth Rogen) goes on after Simmons performs and he has to try and recover the audience after Simmons' bleak set. During his set Ira takes some comic jabs at Simmons. Simmons' is hurt by the gags but realizes Ira is funny and hires him as an assistant. Simmons confides in Ira about his illness and Ira tells him that he needs to reconnect with people in his life. Simmons finds this to be a very difficult thing to do because most of his friends are working relationships. He reconnects with Laura (Leslie Mann) who he had a prior relationship which he ruined by cheating on her. Laura is now married with kids and has a husband who she says is just like George but like George she suspects of infidelity.

The film is packed with a high quality cast giving it their best but the film is needlessly overlong. The story takes some obvious and sometimes pointless twists which stretch out the film to over two and a half hours. That would be fine if the material lent itself to it but this does not. This film is no epic opus and the material is way too thin to be pushing three hours. Still, Funny People does have some funny and genuine moments making for a nice viewing but it's not Apatow's best. Sandler is good but there comes a point where his character becomes so callow and so grating you agree with Ira when he yells at him "I wish you would die!"  If you want to see Sandler at his best, check out Punch Drunk Love. Lots of cameos help with the atmosphere of the comedy business and the world of celebrity. The cast is full of hip, up-and-coming actors like Aziz Ansari (Parks And Recreation, Human Giant) and Aubrey Plaza (Parks And Recreation). Apatow also uses his typical cast roster which includes Seth Rogen, Jonah Hill, and Leslie Mann (Mrs. Apatow). This time it's even more of a family affair with Iris and Maude Apatow playing Mann's children in the film.

 Apatow not only could use an editor but also next time he should get some assistance with the script. The first three quarters of the film actually works pretty well but the film starts treading the same ground for the last forty five minutes or so and starts getting long in the tooth.

The Bottom Line: Funny People has its share of laughs and is entertaining but be prepared for a long (and sometimes tedious) movie that might end up trying your patience. However, a good cast with some genuine moments of heart and humor help the movie go down more easily.

Funny People is now on demand and on Blu-Ray and DVD.

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