Funny People

Filthy 40-something comedian, George Simmons (Sandler) has a madly successful film career behind him and money abounding when he is struck with haunting news.  He is dying.  In a feeble attempt to find friendship, Simmons hires hopeful yet green comedian Ira Wright (Rogen) as his personal assistant and writer.  As well, Simmons attempts to re-woo Laura (Mann), his "one that got away."  Married to internationally absent businessman Clarke (Bana), Laura gets swept into the problematic whirlwind that is George Simmons.
In Judd Apatow Fashion (40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up), Funny People is riddled with raunchy quips that result in riotous laughs.  The only problem here is the disjunction from the heavily serious overtones.  Sandler gives some achingly serious performances scene by scene, broadening the range of his portfolio.  Likewise, Bana shows that despite frequenting serious roles, his comedic chops have done anything but fade since his early stand up days.  Sitting somewhere in the middle are Rogen and Mann, both funny and consistent as ever.
The real gem found in Funny People's oscillating temperament are the stand up routines.  Lending to the movies authenticity, each comedian performed in character to live audiences, including Superbad's Jonah Hill and "Parks and Recreation" star Aziz Asari.  Untouchably funny was Jason Schwartzman's character in the mock family sitcom "Yo Teach!"
Laden with countless cameos including RZA, Eminem, James Taylor, George Wallace, and Andy Dick, Funny People is skilfully written falling short only in the movie's flow, which is often disrupted by the widely differing themes throughout.