WHILE it didn't receive the attention, box office or raves of Apatow's previous directorial efforts Knocked Up and The 40 Year Old Virgin, this is a surprise packet.

For one, we get Adam Sandler acting and not just goofing (for the first time since Punch Drunk Love). Plus, as with Knocked Up, we get some big laughs from some serious subject matter, delivered with heart and humour by a bunch of Apatow regulars and welcome additions.

Sandler, riffing on an exaggerated version of himself, plays much-loved comedian George Simmons, whose life takes a turn for the worse when he is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness.

With little chance of recovery, George decides to get back to his roots of stand-up comedy, where he meets up-and-comer Ira Wright (Rogen).

George hires Ira initially to write gags for him, but then takes him on as his personal assistant, sparking a friendship between the pair as George re-evaluates what's important in his life.

The film works wonderfully well for it's first two-thirds, with the heaviness of George's condition offset by Sandler's bouyant performance and some funny stand-up routines.

But things sag under the weight of George's attempts to rekindle romance with his lost love Laura - strangely the film can handle being funny when dealing with terminal illness, but struggles with a possible love triangle.

Despite the dip in pace and laughs, its a gripping plot development because of Apatow's attention to character detail. For all their faults and flaws we still want to find out what these guys are going to do next, no matter how unlikely or unlikeable.

Rogen offers good support and Bana is a welcome addition to the film's final act, but it's full marks all round as the cast manages to find the balance between the heart and the humour in Apatow's intriguing story.