Writer/director Judd Apatow (‘The 40-Year-Old Virgin’,’ Knocked Up’) is bringing his latest masterpiece to theatres this weekend. Apatow is quoted saying “I’m trying to make a very serious movie that is twice as funny as my other movies. Wish me luck!” In “Funny People” Apatow directs Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen and Leslie Mann in the story of a famous comedian who has a near-death experience. Luck seems to not be on his side as “Funny People” misses the mark.

George Simmons (Adam Sandler) is a very successful stand up comedian who is diagnosed with an untreatable blood disorder and given less than a year to live. Reliving his regrets in life and wanting to live out the rest of it to the fullest he returns to what makes him most happy, being on stage. There George meets Ira (Seth Rogen) a struggling comedian who is working at a deli while trying to discover his comical persona. By chance, these two perform at the same Improv club and George takes notice of Ira. George intrigued by Ira hires him to be his personal assistant and eventually his friend.

Ira becoming George’s friend turns out to be the best thing for his comedy as he begins to find his comfort zone on stage and becomes a stand out act on his own. While helping George with his medical struggles he insists he open up to others about his illness. Opening himself up to others helps George, especially when it comes to Laura (Leslie Mann). Laura is George’s one true love who he lost years back due to his catty ways. The reunion is rather strained, despite how much love is between the two, the future is grim as Laura is married with two children. As George moves forward with his comical act and gets great news on the health front he finds himself wanting Laura more than ever and drags Ira along for the ride.

“Funny People” contained all the right players, but the humor of the film was lost. During the first half it was a solid comedy, but the second half turned it into a double-feature. Going from a comedy to a romantic drama. Adam Sandler and Leslie Mann were upstaged by Seth Rogen who took front and center and showed a much improved performance since the dark comedy “Observe & Report”. Leslie Mann, a usual favorite of mine, was underused and did not add much comedy to the film. Apatow’s attempt at something lighter may have been better, had the run time been less or the film had steered in one direction. Potentially “Funny People” could have been an Apatow masterpiece, but at the midway point it loses its audience and can’t get back on track.