Funny People – 4 stars

Funny People.  A Judd Apatow (Knocked Up, 40 Year Old Virgin) dramedy, I was surprised at how much I liked it given its length (almost 2 and a half hours) and a certain maxed-out sense with regard to “bro’ mances.”   But this one delivered both laughs (Adam Sandler plays a wildly successful comic, dying and friendless, who takes on Seth Rogen, a nobody comic, as a personal assistant to help him through the medical ordeal) and a bit more, reminding me of James L. Brooks, in that Apatow delivers a story that is universal while using Sandler’s job and surroundings for texture, ala’ Broadcast News.  Better, as Sandler showed in Punch Drunk Love, he can be a good actor.  Finally, there is a scene with Sandler, Rogen and Sandler’s German doctor (no physical comedy) that is a worthy entry to funniest scenes of all time.