Judd Apatow’s Funny People Trailer Starring Adam Sandler
Although the Judd Apatow name seems to be getting slapped on all kinds of movies nowadays (not all of them top notch), it is Apatow’s own directorial efforts that are the ones truly worth getting excited about. Sure, we may only have The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up to go on so far, but that’s more than enough for me. Needless to say, his upcoming film Funny People is one of my most anticipated movies of 2009, and I’ve been extremely curious about the fact that the main characters (played by Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen) are stand-up comedians.
The first trailer has just gone online over at Moviefone, and although it features some of the Apatow regulars (Rogen, Jonah Hill, his wife Leslie Mann), it also throws some new faces in the mix including Eric Bana, Jason Schwartzman and RZA. What excites me most about the movie is the actual stand-up comedy footage, which was apparently performed and shot in front of a live crowd. Supposedly the actors had to come up with real routines that they practiced for weeks beforehand. The thing I wasn’t expecting, however, is the pretty serious tone relating to the fact that Sandler’s character is diagnosed with a terminal condition. I know Apatow likes his movies to have heart, but is he going too far this time with the emotional string-pulling? After all, a cancer subplot nearly killed Fanboys, but maybe Apatow is the man to find just the right balance. Funny People hits theatres on July 31st; give the trailer a look and chime in with your thoughts below.
Comments (22)
I thought it looked awesome right up until the part where it looks like he’s beaten the cancer. I’m not saying that I want Sandler’s character to die or anything, but it looks like the tone of the movie shifts more towards your standard romantic comedy where he is trying to win the girl. But who knows. The stand up comedy bits definitely got me excited. Anybody else think that Sander finally gets the girl and ends up dying at the end?
Posted by Neil M on February 20th, 2009I liked “Superbad” and somewhat liked “Knocked Up”, but man, this movie looks like shiiit.
Hopefully all the backlash that Will Ferrel is feeling lately soon will latch onto Apatow instead, I am so tired of these dramedys.
Why does all comedy movies have to either be ruined by some lame dramatic plots or forced romantic side-plots.
Posted by Kasper F. Nielsen on February 20th, 2009I don’t think this is comparable in anyway to something like fanboys, this looks to be full heart when something like fanboys is a stupid comedy with a little bit of heart. I most excited about seth rogen’s role, he looks awesome. Glad he’s willing to step back into a supporting part.
Posted by Drew on February 20th, 2009“Hopefully all the backlash that Will Ferrel is feeling lately soon will latch onto Apatow instead, I am so tired of these dramedys.”
I don’t understand what you mean, that’s Apatow’s style, just like Tarantino or PT Anderson have a style. This is more than just the same old “Along Came Polly” type Rom-Com.
Posted by Drew on February 20th, 2009Doesn’t Will Ferrell have one of the hottest shows on Broadway right now?
I was ready to give up on Apatow, I really don’t like raunchy humour, but this trailer seems completely different from his previous work. It almost feels more like a drama than a comedy or even a dramedy. If the raunch is toned down as well, I might actually want to see it.
I love the fact that Eric Bana is finally playing a real Aussie. Are we finally going to see him make some decent movies?
Posted by Ashley on February 20th, 2009So fucking sick of Seth Rogen.
Posted by Jon Rocks on February 20th, 2009So fucking sick of people saying there sick of Seth Rogen, if you don’t count the animated movies he hasen’t done THAT much. And the stuff he’s done has been pretty well recieved
Posted by Drew on February 20th, 2009Looks awesome to me.
Posted by Mitch on February 20th, 2009This looks perfect. I can’t wait to see it.
Posted by RI on February 20th, 2009Just because something is “well received” doesn’t mean he’s not grossly overexposed.
Zack and Miri, Superbad, Knocked Up, Pineapple Express, Observe and Report— he HAS done a lot, and personally I haven’t liked much of it.
Posted by Jon Rocks on February 20th, 2009Think about it, Pineapple Express was his second leading role from Knocked Up, Observe and Report hasn’t come out. Wether you liked them or not is totally different.
Posted by Drew on February 20th, 2009I had to give up on the trailer. It reached my limit of how long I’m willing to wait for a video to load up. I did see most of it, five seconds at a time.
Looked okay in the beginning, but a yawn-fest at the end.
Posted by Deven Science on February 21st, 2009I’m down, looks sapper than his usual fair.
Posted by Theman on February 21st, 2009this looks good, trailer’s playing up the sappy angle but i bet it’ll be immature enough to appeal to … me. love the ringo starr song in there too! give it up!
Posted by Joel on February 21st, 2009This trailer is long. I wasn’t that impressed with Knocked Up Apatow seems to be getting more into the dramedy stylings of like Albert Brooks or something. I’m sure it’ll be a fine movie and funny in places but it looks like the same old Sandler is the little guy fighting for the girl formula.
Posted by Ian on February 21st, 2009“So fucking sick of people saying there sick of Seth Rogen”
I think its possible he’s currently overexposed, but I don’t see how you can blame him for taking on work with both your friends and other people who seem to know how to properly use you. You’re acting as if he’s doing romcoms with Meg Ryan
But either way, the reason I’m more annoyed with the backlash than his overexposure is because this happens to every comedic actor when they get hot, they get tossed aside without really doing anything particularly wrong. Happened to Jack Black, Will Ferrell, Steve Carell to an extent, and now its Rogen’s turn.
As for the trailer, I would see this, but I will agree it could be very sappy, it did seem like a long trailer, and it probably actually told us too much. I think people who don’t like the sappiness though will be glad to know it in advance rather than show up to the movie and getting surprised by it there.
Didn’t Sandler’s Click get advertised as a goofy comedy and end up being kind of sappy and maudlin?
Posted by Goon on February 21st, 2009btw, rewatched Pineapple Express and now that it really did get a whole lot better on a rewatch/knowing what was coming.
Posted by Goon on February 21st, 2009“Didn’t Sandler’s Click get advertised as a goofy comedy and end up being kind of sappy and maudlin?”
It was kind of sappy in the end with some of the family stuff, but overall it was just typical sandler fare.
Posted by Drew on February 21st, 2009I am surprised to say this, but the newest Crapatow movie doesn’t look too bad. Unfortunately, Adam Sandler isn’t emoting enough in this one (even though he did have a good turn in Punchdrunk Love). From the trailer it looks like he is playing the ‘I-am-dying-but-it-doesn’t-matter-because-I-am-cool-and
-laidback-and-therefore-it-doesn’t-effect-me’ character which I think will hurt the film rather than elevate it.
Having a side-kick of Seth Rogen (“hi, in this new movie I will be playing a part that will flex my acting muscles and is completely different from all my other movies. I will be playing, wait for it…Seth Rogen”) is a mistake in my eyes, but since he is marginally popular (for some unknown reason) it will sell tickets. I give them credit for at least riding the money wave.
The usual crew of the dreadfully unfunny Jonah Hill
(repeated spouting of mean-spirited, uninspired sarcasm isn’t funny) makes this one that I will stay away from even though I do like Jason Schwartzman and find him talented.
Let me also be clear on my views:
-The 40 Year Old Virgin is a great, funny and smart movie with heart BECAUSE Steve Carrel co-wrote it.
-Knocked-up was grossly unfunny, terribly written and edited and not worth a full viewing. It is a movie that feels forced rather warm (think of the bouncer scene with Amy Adams, even though it pains me to do so, groan).
-Forgetting Sarah Marshall is great – Crapatow did not write it, Jason Segel did.
-Dewey Cox is hit-and-miss, but also terribly forgettable.
-SuperBad was written by Seth Rogen. He may be a decent comedy writer, but he should stay behind the camera. Always. AND it was not directed by Juddly. Superbad had funny moments because of the brilliant McLovin and the dependable Cera. Those two characters at least were worth caring about. Jonah Hill playing the mean-spirited selfish friend (really, Jonah Hill playing that?) just made me feel weary. Watching a movie should never cause me to say ‘why on god’s green earth did they put Jonah Hill in a movie?’. In my opinion, movies and characters that rely on continual sarcasm and mean-spirit quips are empty and cater to the lowest common denominator.
Posted by David on February 21st, 2009I’m with Deven on this
“Looked okay in the beginning, but a yawn-fest at the end.”
And how is this trailer not the whole movie? Every conceivable plotpoint was revealed, except for whether or not Sandler will manage to divorce Eric and Leslie so he can fuck her. And that’s surely not worth $8.50. Unless it gets rave reviews, I’m skipping this one.
Posted by Matt on March 4th, 2009Just a plain old moviegoer here, who stumble onto this website after watching the trailer and googling the movie to find commentary. Some thoughts:
1. Loved everything about the trailer
2. Movie, full of heart, is exactly what’s needed in this rough, tough, cynical time.
3. I’m just about Sandler’s age and come from same background (via South Florida) – so his point of view and frames of reference really resonate with me. I also happen to think that he’s funny, bright, soulful, a mensch, and works hard and smart to make good movies.
4. Rogen and Hill, I think, are deep talents. Looking forward to watching Rogen develop and seeing him again and again and again. I also very much like Hill’s comedic voice – his humor is intelligent and interesting and, in its delivery, well constructed. My bet is that both will have long, productive, acclaimed careers.
5. Leslie Mann is way underrated and under appreciated. Such a strong, smart, funny woman. Like, Adam Sandler (the person, not the actor), I think Leslie would make a loyal, nurturing, wise friend. As it stands, she is a great talent and I’m happy that she’s being featured here.
Very much looking forward to the movie and to having my heart filled by more than just a little bit by the love, care, joy, and strength of spirit that appears to have been invested in this movie.
Posted by Michael on March 8th, 2009That commercial is getting on my nerves. All of those actors are most annoying. >P
Posted by Tomas on July 30th, 2009Leave a Reply