Because the World Needs More Cancer Comedies
By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under Trade News | Comments (16)
This was announced a while ago, but I think it might have slipped through the cracks (or else I have no recollection of writing about it), but Seth Rogen is producing and co-starring in yet another cancer comedy, which is still going ahead even after Funny People flopped faster than a penis showering with a blue-veined granny. This particular cancer comedy, however, is based on the autobiography of an obscure television producer, Will Reiser.
There is reason to hope, however, that I’m with Cancer may work better than Funny People did. 1) The characters won’t all be misanthropic Hollywood douchebag types; 2) Adam Sandler is not involved; 3) James McAvoy has just signed on as co-star; and 4) Nicole Holofcener is attached to direct.
Holofcener is actually a weird choice. She’s an indie director (Lovely and Amazing, Walking and Talking) with a keen eye for female characters. It at least suggests that I’m with Cancer won’t have as many dick jokes as Funny People. It also suggests that the budget won’t be as high, nor would the expectations, I would think. This might actually be Rogen’s first opportunity to do something a little on the dramatic side. Unfortunately, he’s never demonstrated much versatility and, aside from a fleeting moment in Zack and Miri, he’s not given us any reason to think he could expand his repertoire beyond raunchy jokes and an abrasive laugh (his weeping scene in Funny People was an embarrassment). All the same: If anyone could extract that out of him, it’d be Holofcener, and James McAvoy might be able to carry him through much of the picture.
It’s also nice to see McAvoy get some work; he’s been strangely quiet since Wanted.
Follow @pajiba
← The Time Traveler's Wife TV Show | Lollapallooza 2009 Review →
Comments
Posted by: tamatha at August 18, 2009 11:41 AM
Color me intrigued.