Death At A Funeral [2007] - DVD (Peter Egan, Rupert Graves, Kris Marshall, Alan Tudyk, Thomas Wheatley - Dir: Frank Oz)

The latest comedy from director Frank Oz, Death at a Funeral unusually sets a funeral at the heart of a film that's trying to generate laughs. It does prove to be quite a hurdle, but it's to the credit of those involved that the film proves to be a worthwhile and diverting way to spend an hour and a half.

Starring Rupert Graves, Matthew MacFadyen and Peter Egan among a talented ensemble cast, Death at a Funeral ticks most of the boxes you'd expect of its concept, but does throw in a few twists of its own, too. There are family secrets, mix-ups, battling characters and the funeral itself to deal with, and Oz proves skilful at marrying the threads together.

Death at a Funeral manages to generate a good few laughs on the way to its fine ending, but it does have its problems. There are perhaps one too many contrivances to put up with, and the script doesn't really do the director and his cast too many favours. In spite of its slight running time, it also manages to feel a little too long.

But Death at a Funeral is still, despite these problems, a perfectly competent British comedy, and a useful way to fill a night in. Don't expect a masterpiece, and chances are you'll have some fun with it. --Jon Foster

Customer Reviews of Death At A Funeral [2007]

film critic

31st December 2008

Embarrasingly excruiating
This was on my Christmas wish list and unfortunately I was actually given it! What an absolute pile of utter trash. Appallingly researched, utterly tasteless and not even vaguely humorous. Don't even be tempted if you find this at a boot sale for 5p - it ain't worth the cost of electricity to play the wretched thing!

Peppered Imagination
uk
27th October 2008

Brittish Brilliance
You may laugh a lot you may laugh a little it doesn't matter this is a must for all fans of brit flicks.
I watched it for it's entertainment value and the fact that alan tudyk starred in it portraying a brit since he really shined in 'a knights tale' with heath ledger he is sure to become a household name in the future (watch this space).
I enjoy a film 10 times more if you get the feeling that the cast really enjoyed making this film with eachother which clearly comes across here.
What seems like a normal family funeral soon goes awry with the arrival of a short unwelcome guest and accidental drug usage takes place how will they all come together so that daniel can read his uledgy at last.
I gave it 4 stars purely because the laughs are like marmite but you shouldn't watch it just for a laugh this is brilliant actors coming together and doing what they do best and doing it well.

favourite film quote - si...........mon

kelly

bel_78
Buenos Aires, Argentina
31st August 2008

"This is not my father"
What can go wrong at a funeral? Seemingly everything, as this extremely funny dark comedy will show you. I didn't expect much, despite the positive buzz, but English director Frank Oz surprised me. Give "Death at a funeral" a chance, this bizarre film will make you laugh :)

Belen Alcat

Kalah
Norway
17th August 2008

It's Trying Too Hard...
It starts out nice, with a decent (albeit unoriginal) plot, dedicated actors and fair direction. There are problems both with the script and the execution, however. "Death at a funeral" sets out to be your standard British comedy, with intricacies and comic plots like improper nudity, irritating relatives and poo in somebody's face. Sounds promising, doesn't it. Moving on to the story lines, there's plenty of potential: a funeral, love, drugs that make people "funny", a gay midget with naughty photographs, not to mention the old coot in a wheelchair who needs help to reach the toilet. So with all this; all these potentially funny story lines, and good actors too... why doesn't it work? Well, it just doesn't. It falls short in several areas.

First of all there are the plot holes. Without going into specifics, you'll know what I mean. There are lots of things that just aren't logical, for no apparent reason, and some that are plain impossible. Then there's the blatant disregard for comic tradition, i.e. a joke is less funny the second time around. Trust me when I say there isn't much in this movie you haven't seen before; there isn't much you won't be able to guess. If it wasn't for the actors' good execution of various lines, you'd be bored with them. Because you've most likely heard them before. If you've ever watched a British comedy before, you'll recognize the plot, and if you're a keen comedy watcher, you'll be annoyed at the lack of originality.

To top it off, there's the conclusion. Rounding off the story. Summing up. The director has strewn loose threads all over the place, and now is the time to gather them all together and tie them elegantly into a knot which can only be described in one word: anti-climactic. Again, you'll know what I mean. After watching for the better part of an hour you're left wondering, "where will all this end up?" Disappointment looms when you realize the answer is, "nowhere, really."

If you watch and love British comedy, you'll hate this. If you haven't watched such things, well, then chances are there's something better out there, starring Hugh Grant or Rowan Atkinson. Kalah's top tip: avoid.

J. Wilson
North England
30th July 2008

Dire
This was without a doubt, the most awful, cringe-worthy, unsuccessful attempt at comedy I've ever had the misfortune of having to sit through. The jokes were predictable and unfunny, the plot was non-existant, and despite trying its very best to be a comical farse, it ended up just being pathetic. I felt sorry for the actors who had put their names to it. It was absolutely dire