George Simmons was prepared to die, but then a funny thing happened.|Jul. 30, 2009|USA|146 Min.|R
Genre: Comedy;Drama
Description: George Simmons, a middle-aged retired stand-up comedian turned movie star, leads a life of disillusionment and depression despite his wealth. His recent films are poorly received and lack depth. Diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, he is offered an experimental treatment with only an 8% success rate. Believing his end is near, George returns to his roots in stand-up comedy.
Meanwhile, Ira Wright, a young aspiring comedian in his 20s, shares an apartment with his two friends, Mark and Leo. Mark has found success with his own TV comedy series, while Leo is a rising star and a recurring guest on the show.
George crosses paths with Ira at a small comedy club and hires him as his assistant. Over time, Ira becomes one of George’s closest confidants and transitions into his joke writer and opening act at major comedy clubs. Through their journey, they interact with real-life comedians who share insights into the comedy business.
George reconnects with his ex-fiancée, Laura, who is now married to Clarke. After learning from his doctor that his leukemia is in remission, George decides he wants Laura back. Laura invites George and Ira to her home in Marin County while her husband is away on business. They spend time with Laura and her two young daughters, but George and Laura briefly rekindle their romance. When Clarke unexpectedly returns, tension arises.
Laura is left with a difficult decision: to stay with her husband Clarke, who admits to infidelity, or return to George, who also had a history of cheating on her. The story explores themes of love, regret, and redemption against the backdrop of the comedy world.
Cast director: Judd Apatow
Cast actor: Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann, Eric Bana, Jonah Hill, Jason Schwartzman, Aubrey Plaza, RZA, Aziz Ansari, Maude Apatow
Original name: Funny People