'Funny People' review and a 3-Page Original Screenplay
I saw ‘Funny People’ today and enjoyed it. Unfortunately, I didn’t LOVE it as I thought I would. Maybe I put too much expectation on these movies that I spend a year and a half looking forward to. I was so nervous and excited as the Universal Pictures logo came up to finally be seeing this movie and as I heard the lofi audio of Judd Apatow’s old footage of Adam Sandler making crank calls as a 20-something-year-old, I thought, “Brilliant opening.” And the movie went on and the characters were established and the jokes kept coming and of course, I laughed out loud and was having a good time. Then came the tender moments and the conflicted moments and I was way into it. But the story just never really took off for me. I felt like Ira’s character was too flat and I wanted to see more of the supporting guys and the subplots, especially the romance with Daisy (maybe ‘cause I’m just a fan of Aubrey Plaza). It wasn’t a bad film by any means and it was made with a lot of thought, care, and sincerity that I appreciate from Judd Apatow’s movies but I dunno… The more I think about it, the more I feel that it was a really good movie, but like I said, there was never that moment where it really soared. Like for ‘40-Year-Old Virgin’ and ‘Knocked Up’, I absolutely adored the main characters, was rooting for them all the way, and wanted so bad to be a part of the group when they would just hang out and crack crude jokes. But with this one, I didn’t feel so much of that. Maybe that was the point though? Because George Simmons was such a miserable dude, all alone, and self-loathing. That’s one thing the story did really well: paint a picture of a successful guy who has it all but really has nothing. I felt the emptiness and loneliness. But again, I dunno… I’m still working it out with this movie. I want to like it so bad. But it just doesn’t hit that note for me. And why didn’t they include that part with the Rza where Ira says that joke about Grand Theft Auto??? I was really looking forward to that one. In fact, there were a lot of great jokes I’ve seen in trailers and exclusive clips that were taken out. I’ll just have to wait for the DVD.
I definitely enjoyed the stand-up parts. And this movie got me thinking about stand-up comedy and what it takes to stand up in front of a bunch of people armed with nothing more than a microphone and a couple of jokes. If I could pick any other profession, my top three choices would be: chef, slam poet, and stand-up comic. I just have such a deep appreciation for the art of telling jokes. It’s such a simple thing: set-up, punch-line. Yet executing it is the hardest thing in the world. You gotta be confident, you gotta be unique, you gotta have perfect timing, and you have to be quick on your feet. You gotta have the practice and discipline of a classical musician but the improvisational skill of a jazz musician. I really wanna try it at least once. I know I won’t be that great, much less decent, but I’m still so curious what it’s like to do it. It’s such a different animal from performing with a guitar. Such a different dynamic and mindset. Only problem is… I’m scared to death. Bombing a joke and hearing crickets has got to be right up there with getting shot in the stomach or finding out your dog just died. It’s definitely on my Things To Do Before I Die list.
With all that said, my favorite part in ‘Funny People’ is probably when Ira asks Daisy out. “I guess we Wil…CO to the show then.” “Not anymore…” Cute, awkward, and hilarious. I love scenes like that. So much in fact that I got inspired to write my own! It’s actually something I’ve been meaning to do. Here’s a quick sketch, enjoy:
