I would think at this point that a Judd Apatow directed comedy would be test screening proof. I mean Judd’s a pretty powerful guy in Hollywood and if he’s directing his vision, what would a test screening audience tell him that he wouldn’t already know? Regardless, Universal screened the film for a test audience and according to a JoBlo.com reader it was the first public audience to see the film. Our reader, who asked to be called “That Chilean Kid,” was nice enough to send in some spoiler-free thoughts on the film. Was it loved? Hated? What could be improved (if anything)? Read on to find out…
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Well as far as I know we were the first audience to ever see Funny
People outside of the studio. By the tell of the audience it seemed it
was well liked because the lady behind nearly beat me unconscious from
her waving her arms and throwing her head around. What can I say? It
was uproariously funny.
The movie is exactly what it is in the trailer. Fabled comedian George
Simmons played by the wonderful Adam Sandler (strangely enough his
career is very reminiscent of Eddie Murphy kid comedy wise) is
suffering from a rare blood disorder and it causes him to go in a haze
in life. Ira (Set Rogen) is an up and coming comedian with stage
fright. Their paths cross as George plays a gig at a comedy place to
reconnect with his roots and he makes Ira his personal assistant. I
don’t want to give away anymore. The rest of the story is worth
waiting for.
One thing I have to commend at first are not the comedians, but the
actors. Adam Sandler gave a standup serious performance. Aside from
the jokes he really tried and succeeded in the role playing the part
of a lost soul. When he’s trying to look for meaning in his life, I
saw most of the audience leaned over looking for it too. It was really
quite touching at times. Seth Rogan also the same applause. Yes he is
funny, but he also plays as a sad character because he won’t stick up
for himself. It’s not the usual confident Rogan, this is someone else.
All the supporting cast was amazing too. Jonah Hill had great one
liners that would steal the scene. Jason Schwartzman was a comedian on
a show that would seem to be on the CW and his acting which was to act
in movie acting in a show was priceless. Eric Bana was also a delight
in the film considering the circumstances of his character. But the
real applause should go to Leslie Mann. I thought Apatow casting his
wife smelled a little funky to me but my god that woman could carry an
entire film if she wanted too. She really stood up and took charge in
her largest role I’ve seen her in. She really brings a sense of what
George missed out in life which a) makes you feel worst for him but b)
sets her up to show what it’s like behind the family. Not all is well
in paradise.
The only real bad part of the film was the run time. 2 AND A HALF
HOURS!!! It’s not the worst thing in the world but due to that the
film really drags in the middle. Constant montages of playing with
kids (who are the children of Apatow) could be considered the culprit.
They weren’t bad but cut that out man. The middle while entertaining
did drag along and did get a tad boring. Other than that the movie was
well shot for a comedy and was overall a great experience
I’d say 8.5 out of 10, 9 if the condense.
P.s. There is a scene of cameos galore. Funniest part of the film. I
won’t say anything but a certain rapper gets mad props!