I’m not sure how they knew each other. Adam Sandler and Judd Apatow, that is. I think they were roommates back in the day, or something. During their stand-up days. They were probably on fairly equal footing, comedy wise. But then, one night, Sandler did too many whippets, and their career paths diverged. But they’re back together again, in the third movie Apatow has ever directed (although, he produced every single movie that came out between June of 2007 and November of 2008). Of course, Apatow wrote — along with Sandler — last summer’s odious You Don’t Mess with the Zohan. But now, Sandler is coming into Apatow’s world, instead of the other way around. This way is much better.
There’s something weird going on in the trailer for Funny People, though. I can’t quite place my finger on it. It may have to do with the fact that it looks more poignant than funny, which is OK. Or the notion that anyone would choose Sandler over Eric Bana. Or it may have something to do with the fact that I don’t want to cause severe bodily harm to Sandler. It just might be possible that Sandler will star in a movie that doesn’t suck for the first time since Punch-Drunk Love. And, if Apatow can extract a decent performance out of Sandler, like Paul Thomas Anderson did, maybe he does deserve to be in the Top 25 active directors.
I dunno. Watch the trailer. What do you got to lose? Seth Rogen is positively thin, Leslie Mann seems to steal most of her scenes, and Eric Bana has a sense of humor! Who knew?
I have always loved Adam Sandler, and I will always love Adam Sandler. Even when he's making the Happy Madison equivalent of Norbit, I'll just put some newspaper over it and go watch Big Daddy again.
Posted by: Lucas at February 23, 2009 11:10 AM
I saw this after the Oscars, and it was a complete mindfuck. "Adam Sandler in a good movie?" Will that be a possible sentence?
Posted by: George at February 23, 2009 11:16 AM
Holy crap. This looks, I don't know... good.
Posted by: courtney at February 23, 2009 11:19 AM
Sandler has lost so much credit with me that I must remain staunch in my Antisanlerism until he proves otherwise.
This could be a case of not-suck by association.
Posted by: admin at February 23, 2009 11:19 AM
It looks amazingly watchable. Adam Sandler as a character, not a caricature...whoda thunk it.
Posted by: tt_marie at February 23, 2009 11:26 AM
I wouldn't say this looks spectacular. I think our expectations are low enough that we are just surprised. Trust me, this will certainly suck as much as that one he did with Don Cheadle.
Posted by: Optimus Rhyme at February 23, 2009 11:41 AM
Given Sandler's tendency to kill the comedy in anything, I'm at least glad he's given the opportunity to be in something that gives us a reason not to do bodily harm to him. I kinda liked Big Daddy and Happy Gilmore. I think Sandler does alright when he isn't at the creative helm of a film, so him going into Apatowland might actually make him more endearing. I so miss my cuddly bear Seth Rogen, why did he have to get so thin?!
Posted by: ph at February 23, 2009 12:24 PM
Those are the same kids from Knocked up...really Judd your using the same kids now? That aside i believe this will be a good movie.
Posted by: Sean M at February 23, 2009 12:33 PM
Adam Sandler likable in a movie where his character is dying . . . You're move, cancer.
Posted by: Tracer Bullet at February 23, 2009 12:54 PM
hey, how do you pronounce Apatow? Or Rogen for that matter? I`ve been wondering this for at least a few years now.
Posted by: mastodan at February 23, 2009 1:01 PM
those are his and leslie's real kids ..and they are ADORABLE.
Posted by: Leah at February 23, 2009 1:11 PM
I thought it was Smigel.
Posted by: Jo 'Mama' Besser at February 23, 2009 1:11 PM
Sean: Those are Judd and Leslie's kids. I think he sort of tricked her into letting the kids be in Knocked Up and now they're a part of the Apatow Repertory Theatre. Nice work if you can get it.
Posted by: Clarence Boddicker at February 23, 2009 1:13 PM
I feel the same about this movie as I did for Stranger Than Fiction. A "Huh...He's..not playing and idiot manchild. Well...That'll be different."
Hopefully it'll work out just as well.
On another note, did Seth Rogen finally move past "the gateway drug" into doing coke?
Posted by: alphawhiskey at February 23, 2009 1:15 PM
Rogen + Schwartzman = squealgasm. Also, Apostrophe will sell out of t-shirts the weekend this movie launches.
Posted by: Sweetie Dhaling at February 23, 2009 2:29 PM
Ya know Rowles, I think this has real possibilities. I did really enjoy Sandler in Punch Drunk Love, it'd be nice to watch him in something else that's good.
Posted by: tamatha at February 23, 2009 2:35 PM
It's when he's not doing his Googly-Poo-Heebity-Bippity stuff, and acts like a grown up, that I actually find him rather endearing.
Damn you Adam Sandler. Just when I alrady to hate you again after begrudgingly liking you in Punch-Drunk Love, you go and make me think I might like you again. You hurt my mind.
Posted by: Odnon at February 23, 2009 2:41 PM
this looks so feel-goody and life-affirming. UGH.
what about this looks good and fresh? this movie will suck and it won't even be the waterboy's fault. PASS
Posted by: LEE at February 23, 2009 2:42 PM
Eric Bana was always funny. It was only when he went to America to make films that he had to go all serious.
Posted by: Will at February 23, 2009 3:27 PM
Oh hell fucking NO. Adam Sandler over Eric Bana? That's like picking Jabba the Hutt over Eric Bana. That's like picking a turd on the street over Eric Bana.
Is Figgy gonna have to slap a bitch?
I think Figgy is gonna have to slap a bitch.
Posted by: figgy at February 23, 2009 3:34 PM
Damn. OK. This doesn't look horrible. It actually looks good.
The thing about Adam Sandler is that when he isn't doing some ridiculous accent or acting like a complete douchebag on speed, he's a really likeable and talented actor. Punch Drunk Love is one of my favorite movies, so how can this be the same guy who made Zohan?
And ooh man. Eric Bana. The accent. I think...I think I just melted a little. Oi.
*siiigh*
Posted by: figgy at February 23, 2009 3:36 PM
I have a theory that most halfway decent comedians can actually act circles around the best "dramatic actors." Putting on a serious expression is easy, and I don't think most moviegoers can even recognize the difference between that and good dramatic acting. The problem is, as per ph's allusion, comedians almost universally make poor choices if they're not reigned in and forced to make something quality. They want to be the center of attention and fall into their shtick. Put a quality director at the helm and Murphy, Carey, Sandler, Williams, Foxx all have been decent to brilliant actors. You just need a director with the skill and conviction to keep them from going off on their own tangent. Which is why I think that Cesar Millan should be fitted for a director's chair immediately.
Posted by: Eep at February 23, 2009 3:39 PM
But Eric Bana is funny.
Believe it or not, he used to be on a number of sketch comedy shows in Australia, before he got his break in Andrew Dominik's Chopper. Skewering game show hosts ... tabloid journalism ... bogan (read: redneck for our anti-antipodean counterparts) culture. You can probably find some stuff on Youtube.
Australia collectively had a bit of a headscratch when he hit Hollywood and starting acting, y'know, seriously. "That's the same guy who played Poida on Full Frontal, right?"
Posted by: Squrrox at February 23, 2009 5:19 PM
Adam Sandler, in an Apatow movie, and with a little flicker of Jason Schwartzman? Down is up, and white is black, and what the hibbity-jibbity fuck is going on here? I want to see Sandler's next movie? I...I've never typed that before.
Someone hold me, I'm so confused.
Posted by: Cassandra at February 23, 2009 5:27 PM
jason schwartzman--i'm there!!
also, was that a little ringo music there...? (and when i say ringo, of course, i mean george...)
all around excellent!
Posted by: maxpurr9 at February 23, 2009 6:52 PM
JASON SCHWARTZMAN!!! A UK T-SHIRT!!!!
God, I am so there.
Posted by: LB at February 23, 2009 8:16 PM
I absolutely LOVE this trailer!!!
P.S. Thanks for referencing Punch-Drunk Love, but we can't forget that he gave a legitimately heart-breaking performance in Reign Over Me.
Posted by: AudioSuede at February 23, 2009 8:51 PM
I don't really hate Adam Sandler, even when his movies are bad, they're never the worst of the year, and almost always have some bizarre hangover appeal.
Cesar Milan would make a good comedian trainer, great idea Eep.
Posted by: George at February 23, 2009 8:53 PM
the last joke in the trailer was great - the fire/hell bit. This looks pretty good! My husband loves Reign Over Me, but I haven't seen the whole thing. It seems so heartbreakingly sad.
Posted by: mswas at February 23, 2009 9:28 PM
I loved Adam Sandler in 'The Wedding Singer' and what I can gather is that he, along with Jim Carrey are actually better at drama than comedy. The best dramas and sad movies have their dark humor.
Plus, like the Wedding Singer, he is surrounded by people you would never peg as being funny...being extremely funny. It's the unexpected that we look for, Eric Banas...making fun of himself and his accent. Not expected. A good laugh.
Posted by: Cleveland at February 23, 2009 9:57 PM
I have to stand up for Sandler (and not just because we're both Jews from New Hampshire). Yes, some of his latest films (ahem, Zohan) are positively shite, but the man knows how to be funny, and he's also *gasp!* a good actor. Reign Over Me was amazing, and although the movie didn't get great reviews, I thought his role in Spanglish was so emotionally honest. This movie just looks great -- reminds me a bit in tone of Spanglish (serious and comic) -- and I'm looking forward to it!
Posted by: Ariel at February 23, 2009 10:06 PM
Nope. Sandler still has spoken lines in the movie, although they had me going for a moment there with the whole "he's dying" thing, but then they pulled that rug out from under me, too. No, I still want very much to punch him in the face.
Besides, Sandler over Bana? Awww, heeell naw.
Posted by: Elfrieda at February 23, 2009 10:58 PM
I have never found Sandler funny.
I think he got famous because he just happened to be the SNL cast member that sucked the least those particular seasons. Being the least painfully unfunny person in the cast does not make you funny.
I still haven't seen Punch-Drunk Love (I'll get around to it, I guess, for Emily) and I couldn't get through Reign Over Me because of the sap.
Posted by: Jerce at February 24, 2009 12:31 AM
I don't know. Zohan was an unforgivable piece of shit, but this does have promise.
Still, Sandler is a douche, and he will just plummet back to douche status after this passes.
Lest of course, he wants to do good acting, such as drama or comedies (such as this one), but I highly fuckin' doubt it.
I don't mean to sound like an asshole, but Sandler tends to fuck things up. As Rowles pointed out, not since Punch-Drunk Love has Sandler been tolerable. I think this one will get amazing acclaim, then he'll reduce himself once again, because that's what he likes to do.
Hey, Apatow, why don't you let you go of Sandler, and revive someone else's career. Oh, I dunno, maybe Kevin James, who Sandler fucked over many times, and still continues to fuck over many times, with his Happy Madison Studios producing everything James does.
Jesus, give someone a chance who has a little likability. I'm not saying Kevin James is a superior comedic actor or anything, but before Sandler put a curse on him, he was at least likable, since King of Queens or even Hitch.
That is all.
Posted by: Riley at February 24, 2009 2:12 AM
I was thinking of seeing this movie...until I realised Adam Sandler doesn't die.
Seriously, if he died in this movie I would be on it like flies on shit. Especially the shit from Slumdog Millionaire, which I heard was made from peanut butter and chocolate. Oh yum.
Posted by: bakers_dozen at February 24, 2009 3:28 AM
One person likes Spanglish? I mean, yeah, it is a mediocre movie, but there is something about it...I watch it every time it is on tv. It is an honest movie. It doesn't end the way every other movie would. (Yes, I own Punch Drunk Love, but that is too obvious. I expected more of these Pajiba commenters I observe so much.)
Posted by: bj at February 24, 2009 4:49 AM
I can't wait to see this. Not that I've ever hated Adam Sandler but I haven't been particularly happy to see his past few movies. That in no way stops me from liking him though... I even liked him in Spanglish. huh.
Posted by: Wormer at February 24, 2009 10:26 AM
Definitely looking forward to this. Aside from Sandler, it'll be nice to see Seth Rogen in kind of a...sweeter role.
Posted by: Mimi at February 25, 2009 4:29 AM
And stop making fun of our accents, by crikey!
That made me think of Captain Planet, and instead of the power of fire, you unleash the power of Steve Irwin.
You guys should watch the Castle. I think it was Eric Bana's first film.
It's probably a good thing I don't do drugs, I don't need them to be bat shit insane.
And why are there adverts for P&O Cruises?
"This is how to holiday" ??
Didn't a woman get drugged and killed on one of those cruises?
That's exactly the type of vakay I want.
WHERE DO I SIGN UP?!
Zombie ocean cruise, whoo hoo!
Posted by: bakers_dozen at February 26, 2009 2:40 AM
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I have always loved Adam Sandler, and I will always love Adam Sandler. Even when he's making the Happy Madison equivalent of Norbit, I'll just put some newspaper over it and go watch Big Daddy again.