I watched this with fairly low expectations. I'd heard the major complaints: that it was too long, too indulgent, that the central premise--funny man as tragic figure--didn't really work. All of that was pretty much true, and I think it was Judd Apatow's weakest film of the three he's made but that said I still liked it a lot. It was very funny in places, especially any scene that involved Seth Rogen's character with his two housemates, Jason Schwartzman and Jonah Hill. All the acting was terrific. Having just seen Rogen in Observe and Report, it was compelling to see him play someone entirely different. He was sweet and nerdy in this movie, and despite the endless stream of dick jokes, he kind of played a prude. I also liked the way that Adam Sandler, playing a very successful comedian, never tried to be likable. I think that Apatow could have cut about twenty minutes from this movie and it would have been a lot better. I also think that if he continues to make movies he should start getting out of his comfort zone. His daughters are adorable but they probably shouldn't be in every movie he makes, and I actually prefer Leslie Mann, his wife, in supporting roles.
Sidenote: Every line that Jonah Hill has ever said makes me laugh.
20 minutes is being super generous. He needs to cut out that back half. That whole scene where Leslie Mann freaks out at Adam Sandler because he doesn't find her (and Judd Apatow's) kids as epically adorable as she does is almost beyond annoying. But the first,uh, part, beginning portion (?) is real good stuff-the three roommates, "Yo Teach", Sandler just being a jerk, a lot of good there. Its too bad he had to spoil the goodwill. He needs an editor that will just be ruthless with him.
ReplyDeleteYes, you're right. I am being generous. There was something weird about the inclusion of his wife and kids in a second movie. His kids are cute but it was like he was rubbing it in our face. Also, the scene where Leslie Mann gets into her old skinny jeans was strange. It was like it was just there so we could all see how hot she is. And why would Adam Sandler still have her jeans?
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