Funny People

You know how everybody complains that directors/writers/producers don't get enough freedom, and that studio's are inhibiting them by forcing a some arbitrary set of rules (ie. running time) on their creative vision? I'm beginning to think the criticism is unwarranted. In general when you see a creation where the creative force is allowed to do whatever he wants the result ends up unwieldy at best (Synechode, NY) or a fiasco at worst (Heaven's Gate). I think there has to be some tension and sacrifice in the creative process otherwise the final product is bloated with every idea that the creator ever had since they never have to sit down and make any real choices. Funny People is this type of film. Judd Apatow has become such a money making machine that the studio's will pretty much let him do whatever he wants, and Funny People is the manifestation of all the themes and Apatowism's (good and bad) that have populated his prior work. While this isn't necessarily a bad thing fact that he was completely unfettered this time out meant that we just got more of everything and which gets really draining after awhile. Think the first cameo (Andy Dick) is funny? Here's twenty five more. Like the first standup routine? How about another 1/2 an hours worth (actually this is the aspect I liked the most, but after awhile even it became draining). No subplot is left unintroduced, no avenue unexplored, and eventually the whole thing becomes a bit of a mess. I definitely feel like there's a good film trapped in here, the excess just needs to be trimmed away to find it.

Now I'm going to say something positive (shocking I know). Even with all of the aforementioned problems I would rather see a film like this than much of what else is playing these days (cough...transformers...cough). This film at least is the manifestation of a talented artists quest to make an engaging piece of work, and it didn't bore me and even had some memorable moments. Even though it ends up jumping the rails and being undone by its excesses, at least its nice to see somebody actually trying to do something interesting even if they ultimately fail. Plus, by not being great it allows me to make snarky comments on a little read blog. So a big win for everyone.

Note: I just started watching the first season of Carnivale on DVD and if you want to talk about something that's completely original and insane this is it. So much mythology and unexplained symbolism was introduced in the first two episodes that it makes Lost seem as complex as Everybody loves Raymond. I don't know if its going to be any good but its certainly intriguing.