This nutty British comedy observes with jet-black humor the myriad outrageous calamities that befall an eccentric English clan with more than a few skeletons in its closets when its patriarch dies an unexpected death. Soon, every complication imaginable -- including the wrong corpse in the coffin, the accidental consumption of hallucinogenic drugs, and the disclosure of the deceased's closeted homosexuality -- befall the grief-stricken mourners. The funeral commences at the family estate, with
the arrival of younger son Daniel (Matthew MacFadyen), who has long felt uncomfortable around his cocky, licentious novelist brother, Robert (Rupert Graves) -- and thus dreads seeing him. Meanwhile, Daniel is also struggling to adhere to promises he's made to his wife (Keeley Hawes). Also arriving at the house are cousin Martha (Daisy Donovan) and her intended, Simon (Alan Tudyk), who embarrasses just about everybody, including himself, by accidentally consuming a strange drug that inflicts him with wild delusions and gives him an uncontrollable penchant for exhibitionism. But the event that truly turns the family members onto their ears is the arrival of a dwarf (Peter Dinklage) who speaks openly of the patriarch's secret passions, which included dressing up in a kinky gladiator outfit and watching young men skinny-dip. Frank Oz (In & Out, Bowfinger) helmed the film, while Dean Craig authored the script. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi
Weighing in at a brisk 90 minutes, the picture does have the advantage of brevity, and on screen no less than off, there's much to be said for a quick send-off.
Death at a Funeral never quite hits the farcical heights it's aiming for, but it's still got plenty going for it, thanks to an excellent cast and experienced direction.
When turned loose on accessible, not altogether-insincere dark-comedy scenarios, Frank Oz understands humor at a molecular level of structure, volume and timing. An impossible last-shot stinger aside, "Death at a Funeral" is farce at its most flawless.
Despite a final half hour that's full of laughs, Death takes so long getting its farce gears moving that the audience becomes comatose with anticipation of mirth that is too late in coming.
Such a brilliant and well thought out script with plenty of twists and turns and character development that keeps you interested throughout. There is no minute where you are unentertained. The great cast react and flow very well with each other giving such a screen authenticity you'd think you were really at the
funeral watching this unfold yourself. The best of British.
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