Sometimes laughter is a cover for tears

 
Though it happens all the time in movies or in sitcoms, I’ve never actually known someone to make a deal with a cabbie that the size of the tip decreases every minute, meaning the longer the ride the smaller the tip. But a similar deal should have been struck with Judd Apatow about his new film, Funny People: The longer the film, the worse the review. And clocking in at over two and a half hours, Funny People loses a good rating.

First off, Funny People is not an outright funny movie. Sure, there are lots of jokes and it’s chock-full of funny people, but even with Jonah Hill providing the laughs and Adam Sandler bringing the tears, the scale still tips to the drama side of dramedy. Apatow, who also helmed The 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up, is clearly aiming for something more serious here. He’s trying to show the softer side of comics – the idea that sometimes laughter is a cover for tears.

To read the rest of Tim’s review, hop on over to Metro Weekly, where his article is currently running.