Friday, August 7, 2009

Funny People- a Dramatic Comedy for no fool




… as to not give up to much information on the movie I’ve decided to dive into certain scenarios that seem to only jump through the movie, be aware that reading a review means, most of the time, a walkthrough of thru movie in writing.

Funny People is not your typical Dramatic Comedy. It follows a comedian name George
Simmons played by Adam Sandler, resembles him in vast detail. Like Sandler, George has starred in his share of seeming box-office “cash grabs”, he has gained a fan base, but unlike Sandler he isn't happily married.

The story also follows another comedian portrayed by Seth Rogen as Ira Wright whom interacts with George as his assistant and opening act. Ira comes into the picture when he follows an act by George, whom by this point has been told that he has a rare blood disease from which he has an 8% chance of survival rate. George Simmons rather like Ira’s jokes and decides to call him for a job offering.
From here on out a friendship begins to develop based on the fact that they both are enduring George’s approach of Death.

In one particular scene we see the typical “Scrooge” character change or if I may, the stage of grief in which one accepts ones demise. He begins to call and try to make amends with all the people he is “closest” too, but one in particular. He calls, the one that got away, portrayed by Leslie Mann who wants to hear nothing of George.

The story develops into George Simmons’s recovery (which isn’t a recovery per-say), which leads him to the question “now what”?
Simmons manages to make contact with his beloved who agrees to go see a show of his that will be in town because she still thinks that George is dying. At the end of the stand up both George and Ira (whom by this point is not only Georges assistant but also his opening act) meet up with Leslie Mann in which the old spark they had seems to ignite between the two ex-lovers. Later on Eric Bana’s character as Leslie Mann’s as the crazed husband which adds a sense of instability to the story that never seems to quite click.

In the end, this movie seems more like a some what realistic view into a mans unhappiness, which through a set time period and interaction with people seems to change his view of life and take measures that will in the end lead him to the moral of the story. Yes a lot of jokes are made through out the movie, around every corner one might even say, but most are used as a means of deflection. There are some upon the stand up bits, which are in a sense biter sweet as the audience knows the backgrounds story of the characters. All in all, this movie is not for the person hoping to laugh at another Knocked UP, this movie has a whole heartedly drama that blends into the lives of comedians. I give this Movie a rating of

B+

Julie & Julia: Will definitely whet your appetite...and your heart!


::sigh::

I really loved this movie. I got to see it earlier this week at a preview screening sponsored by the My33 Movie Club (thanks, Ardis!) and I instantly fell in love with the film. Meryl Streep is simply charming and endearing as the renowned Julia Child, and Amy Adams couldn't play the role of Julie Powell any better. Both are outstanding actresses, but I can't lie, Streep impressed me more. Why?

I love Streep, but I think she is a little overrated. She plays a wonderful love-to-hate bitch, but nice, warm characters just don't seem to fit well. I mean, did anyone else see Mamma Mia!? I guess that was just an exception, because Streep brought Child to life and made her warm, charismatic, real, and very, very loveable.

As for Adams, as always, her characterization was flawless. A great actor always engages her audience in such an intense way that the viewer suspends belief, and completely forgets there is an actor. So does Adams in her role as Julie Powell. I believed her frustration with her "friends;" her desire to be a good person; her inner conflicts and insecurities; her love for cooking and writing and Eric.

I assure you I am no cook, and though I do love to eat (although my options are limited to vegetarian choices), I loved this movie because it hit home. Because it showed what it's like to want something that other people may think is crazy; and doing it...against all odds.

The movie is also very much about love, and I am sucker for love. Plus, it had a lot of comedic scenes. If you are completely unaware of the plot line it goes a little like this:

First of all, yes, it is based on two true stories (they always do make for the best stories, don't they?)...One chronicles the life of Julia Child--an American who becomes trained in French cuisine while her husband is on assignment in Paris. And the other of Julie Powell, a frustrated writer stuck working in a cubicle who loves to cook...Julia Child's recipes.

While viewers get a taste of how Julia got to publish the recipes in her lengthy cookbook, Julie challenges herself to do every recipe from Child's cookbook in exactly one year and document her experience via a blog, The Julie/Julia Project.


I wholeheartedly recommend this movie to everyone.