Death at a Funeral
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Movie Reviews of Death at a Funeral
Movie Review: Death at a Funeral
Summary: 5 Stars
This has to be one of the funniest movies I have seen in years. Funeral funny? That seems to be an oxymoron of the worst type. Yet this one out does itself at every turn. Serious son Daniel (Matthew MacFadyen) and Jane (his real life wife Keeley Hawes) are helping host the funeral at the family home (from which they both wish to escape to a flat of their own, once dad has a proper send off.) Dad definitely gets a send off but not quite the one they'd hoped for. With a crazy cast of relatives not all of whom get along; the wrong body; a famous brother and favorite son- whose only goal is chatting up a cute girl; a stray bottle of "Valium" that keeps turning up at inopportune times; a dwarf with a big secret; and a coffin with a mind of its own- it's the recipe for disaster. The supporting cast are all people you will recognize but may not know their names. With a lesser cast this might have turned into a very different movie. But all of the players are top notch, blessed with perfect timing and directed with a deft hand by Frank Oz. It reminds me a bit of Young Frankenstein. When it first came out, few of the actors were well known but became famous from this iconic classic. I feel sure the same will happen here with the DVD release. Though able to easily stand on its own, word of mouth will give this show legs. The price of the DVD is well worth it just for the hilarious gag reel that is included. I highly recommend it.
Movie Review: The Laughter Never Lets Up!
Summary: 5 Stars
'Death at a Funeral' is one of the funniest movies ever made. Be forewarned; if you start passing out if you cannot stop laughing, this film is NOT for you!
The plot has been covered elsewhere here (over 200 reviews as of this date), so I'll concentrate on the acting and the writing. This is a fully realized, totally overwhelming writing effort. The movie is uniformly hilarious. The plot ideas may be a bit far-fetched (hallucinatory drugs???) but the plot isn't the main thing here. It does get from point A to point B in without falling apart, but it's the journey that's the unbelievably funny part.
The acting? I can see how it might be difficult for the excellent cast to keep it under control while going through this thoroughly side-splitting film. It's got to be played deadpan, and the actors maintain control during the shenanigans.
I can't praise this film high enough. I've not seen the American remake (why they have to remake a movie in English and in familiar settings is beyond me), but I KNOW it can't be funnier than the original.
Do yourself a favor and buy or rent this film today. Don't watch it while eating, unless the thought of meatloaf going through your nasal passages is something you look forward to. Highly, highly recommended! Five plus stars for 'Death at a Funeral'. One of the funniest films ever made. A must see!
Movie Review: When did a funeral become so hilarious?
Summary: 5 Stars
Haven't thought of a funeral could be so funny and make me laughing and bending over to the next empty seat.
The British do know how to make a good comedy. Death at a Funeral managed to turn a sad occasion upside down while at the same time revealed all the dirty laundry and dark secrets of the main characters that made them interesting. Characters like a self-centred prick who preferred to spend his money on a first class ticket instead of his father's funeral, an uptight lawyer fell prey to hullucination drugs, an arrogant doctor who thought the whole world couldn't match up with him. These are just some of the interesting people you will meet at this funeral.
Some of the plots were a bit predictable - basically you know what is coming around the corner. However, it was the way they wrote it and made it that made the film so enjoyable. All the subtleness that revealed just enough comic moments to keep you going and going. There was a bit of physical comedy elements like their American counterparts, but it is the well written British humour that shaped the movie which could easily make it a classic. Some of the topics they touched on were not new, e.g. homosexuality and drugs, but the modern touch up did make it look more refreshing.
I will highly recommend it if you want an relaxing evening out for a good laugh. I think the British did it again :)
Movie Review: My husband and I laughed so hard I thought one of us was going to burst something
Summary: 5 Stars
What can you say about a film that starts off with the mortician delivering the wrong body to the family? Like so many well-intended family events, "Death at a Funeral" just keeps going downhill from there.
Brothers Daniel (McFadyen) and Robert (Graves), are quarreling over who is to pay the bills for the funeral. Daniel and his wife Jane (Keeley Hawes) want to get out of the family house and buy their own flat. Robert, the best selling NY based novelist thinks Daniel and Jane have 'sponged off the family too much.'
Martha (Daisy Donovan) is bringing Simon (Alan Tudyk) to meet her family for the first time and tell the folks they are going to get married. Unfortunately, Simon's nervous and Martha gives him what she thinks ia a Valium from her little brother Troy (Kris Marshall) stuff. Turns out, that pill wasn't a Valium--it was a hallucinogenic as strong as LSD and Simon is not making the kind of impression he'd like to have made on his future family.
Then, of course, there's the blackmail attempt from the decedent's former lover, the crotchety old uncle, and more. It's just one crazy madcap adventure after another. We barely stopped laughing to catch our breath between episodes.
I may well go back and see this film in the theatre before the run is off. I'm certainly going to buy "Death at a Funeral" in DVD.
Movie Review: 'Bowfinger' is Frank Oz's best, but 'Death at a Funeral' is another strong outing for him
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm a big fan of Frank Oz. I think Bowfinger is his comedic masterpiece. "Death at a Funeral" is another good outing. Oz revels in madcap comedy and things do get outlandishly funny and absurd here, especially when Peter Dinklage quietly enters the movie. He's brilliant here. I see there's a US-based remake on the way (god knows why - it won't top the original) and the role of Peter Dinklage will be played by...Peter Dinklage. Like anyone who's seen Oz's production, it's impossible to believe anyone but Dinklage could play the role. He's a terrific actor.
The other standout here: Alan Tudyk. He inadvertently ingests a hallucinogen early in the film, and then spends the next 90 minutes in an increasingly freaked-out state. He breaks up the funeral with his insistence that there's someone live inside the casket. That paranoia is hilariously rewarded later in the film. It's a wonderful acting job by a man born in El Paso and raised in Plano, Texas. Could have fooled me, Alan!
Two other standouts: the adorable and talented Daisy Donovan; and zany Kris Marshall (think Love Actually (Widescreen Edition) and Milwaukee!). These are two perfect actors for Frank Oz.