Passed Away (1992) User Reviews

Uneven but entertaining

[TheLittleSongbird · 7/10 · 26 March 2015]

Passed Away already had a good amount going for it due to some great casting and that it contained some story strands that when done well could be easily relatable and fun. Passed Away is an entertaining film definitely but it could have been a hilarious one.

For my liking, the film did feel at times like there were too many characters, a few of them quickly introduced and with not enough time spent on them. In particular Jack Warden's, if with longer screen time it would have made what impact he had on the other characters a little more believable. The film is mostly well-paced but sometimes, like in the first half, is like being in start-stop-start traffic. And not all the situations work, Bob Hoskins' situation is very easy to relate to but felt a little underdeveloped and while Tim Curry does a good job a few of Boyd's scenes came over as a little awkward.

However, a vast majority of the time works very nicely. It's very nicely filmed and the scenery and such are lovely. Richard Gibbs' music is a good fit and while it doesn't stay in one's mind for a long time it's not obtrusive or forgettable either. The script is well above average, high in witty quips and gets wackier and wackier in a delicious way. The story is quite neatly told and most of the situations do work, especially William Petersen's personal and professional problems, Pamela Reed's passion for embalmer Peter Riegert and liberated nun Frances McDormand's deadpan Marxism. Passed Away is solidly directed by Charlie Peters and has an exceptional ensemble cast, with the standouts being William Petersen, Nancy Travis, Frances McDormand and Maureen Stapleton. The late Bob Hoskins is no slouch either carrying the film, Peter Riegert is always good value and Pamela Reed and Tim Curry do reliably.

In conclusion, an uneven film but an entertaining one also. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Funny dark Comedy

[m_finebesser · 7/10 · 4 August 2001]

Jack Warden is patriarch of an Irish clan. When he passes away, lives are turned upside down and the fun begins. The ensemble cast is up to the challenge of believing their cliches just enough to sell them effectively to their audiences. Pamela Reed and Nancy Travis are standouts. Bizarre situations abound. I've now seen it twice, and enjoyed it immensely each time.

A funny, clever comedy about a "normal" family

[fw-flyer · 7/10 · 16 March 2004]

When Jack Scanlan, the head of a "normal" Irish family dies suddenly, everyone turns to the oldest son, Johnny (Bob Hoskins) to be the new family decision-maker. Everyone is having their own issues and power struggles within the family. All the family believe Johnny can take over for Dad; however, Johnny can't handle the sudden pressure and decides that it is time for a mid-life crisis. Mayhem ensues as all the problems come to a head at Jack's wake. Before Johnny can handle the family's problems he has to come to grips with his own problems and accept his new role in the family.

dying to explain

[lee_eisenberg · 7/10 · 11 April 2009]

"Passed Away" is the sort of movie that you could easily walk by in the video/DVD store and not notice. But you should notice it, and then watch it. This is actually a very clever movie. It looks at how this family has to deal with their problems following the father's death. Although Bob Hoskins is listed as the star, no single character really dominates the movie. We get to see the issues faced by everyone, and the movie leaves it up to the viewer to decide what to think of the various characters.

So this is one that I recommend. You won't be disappointed if you take the time to check it out. Also starring Peter Riegert (Boone in "Animal House") and Tim Curry.

Carry on vicar

[Tophee · 6/10 · 2 January 1999]

Passed Away is a slow at times but very funny film. Made in the best traditions of a carry on film, I could see Sid James in the role of Johnny Scanlan, with Barbara Windsor as the mysterious woman in black, Hattie Jacques as the mother and Charles Hawtrey as the vicar. The first half of this film is a little slow, but persevere and enjoy the laughs that come thick and fast in the second half, and to top it all off, it has a real feel-good ending.

Dysfunctional Family Fun

[hmpulham · 19 December 2002]

A crackerjack cast helps to make this film a fun watch. It's not unusual for comedies to be about dysfunctional families, but with an above average script, and with appealing characters, one can sit back and happily conclude, the family depicted here, is more messed up then is mine. Of course, we get a happy ending, but how it's going to get there is not so obvious. One of the better comedies of the 1990's.

Slight comedy..VERY slight

[Boyo-2 · 3/10 · 6 June 2002]

"Passed Away" made me wish I had. Okay, maybe it wasn't that bad, but considering the talent assembled in front of the camera, I certainly was not wrong in expecting a little more of a movie and less of a concept.

Movie takes place over 2/3 days following the death of Jack Warden, the father of a large family. Children are Pamela Reed, who is in an unhappy marraige with Tim Curry; Frances McDormand, who is now a revolutionary/nun and harboring an illegal alien; William Petersen, who lived in the same town as Dad and wants to take things over following his passing; and Bob Hoskins, who also lived nearby and who is married to Blair Brown. Mom is Maureen Stapleton but she wisely stayed out of most of the movie.

Various silly or ridiculous things happen over these couple of days. Reed re-visits an old boyfriend (Peter Riegert), Hoskins tries to figure out why Nancy Travis is at his father's wake, Petersen deals with local politicians (Dylan Baker is seen threatening him) and an unmarried but pregnant daughter (Teri Polo), and McDormand goes to great lenghts to keep Immigration from her hombre.

There's no flow to any of the scenes. Each has a tiny little punchline that isn't much of one but keeps the mood light, but that's part of the problem - this is a black comedy that does not want to be one. The slapstick doesn't work much either.

None of the actors distinguish themselves at all. You would swear that Blair Brown and Bob Hoskins never even met before doing so on the set. Hoskins is possibly miscast but he's so likable that its hard to critcize him for not carrying the movie a little better. At least he didn't bother to do an American accent, but then again, why not?

The movie is forgotten three seconds after it is over. 3/10.

A funny Black-Comedy, not for everyone, but I liked it.

[stanbldr · 7/10 · 16 May 2003]

This is a very quirky comedy. No surprises but very well acted and the script has enough funny situations to keep one entertained. Not great by any means but I found it worth watching and as I always enjoy seeing Bob Hoskins I was not disappointed. This movie is definitely not for everyone.

A True classic comedy of the early 90's

[phantomlordnyc · 7/10 · 22 November 2007]

I remember seeing the preview for this movie on a video I had rented back in 1993 or so from my video store and I thought it was pretty funny so when I saw it was in stock I rented it and I wasn't disappointed. Bob Hoskins carries this movie in his role of Johnny Scanlan. We all have a brother or uncle who carries the load during times of grief as this movie is set in.

William Petersen (of CSI fame) plays the idiot brother who's surprise party kills his father (played by Jack Warden) who had just recovered from a massive heart attack. The mother played by the great Maureen Stapleton wants a "fine Irish wake" at the house for her husband and it takes off from there.

Charlie Peters who wrote and directed the film did an amazing job and I personally believe this is one of the most underrated movie's of the early 90's.

It's not a completely perfect movie. The side storyline with Nora (played by Francis McDormand) being a revolutionary nun and bringing a rebel leader with her to hide him out at the house could have been done away with, but it provides for one of the funniest scenes in the movie where the INS is searching the house for him so they move the father out of the coffin and bring him upstairs and have the illegal hide in the coffin. I don't want to ruin the whole scene, but the "ITS A MUSCLE CONTRACTION" line will have you in tears from laughing.

Overall it's a good movie to watch on a weekend afternoon or at night if nothing of interest is on cable. If you can track down a copy of the video you should get it and I really wish they would put it on DVD for region 1 (Amazon only has it for Region 2).

An all-around fun movie

[etailerinternational · 8/10 · 13 March 2006]

OK, there may be some material that is questionable as to whether its funny but all in all Passed Away is a very good movie. And the cast is top notch. Maureen Stapleton as the family matriarch is sweet, funny, and wise -- reminiscent of her role in Johnny Dangerously. William Petersen is wonderful as the well-meaning but empty-headed brother. Bob Hoskins, Pamela Reed and Frances McDormand give solid performances as the rest of the family. The jokes and barbs fly as the characters deal with the sudden death in the family and the twists each of their lives has experienced. Anyone with a quirky family will find Passed Away well worth the viewing.

Family affairs at its finest...

[paul_haakonsen · 6/10 · 17 March 2021]

This 1992 movie from writer and director Charlie Peters is a movie that most certainly has withstood the test of time quite well. I happened to sit down to watch "Passed Away" for the first time here in 2021. In fact, I didn't even know about the movie before now.

And after seeing the impressive cast ensemble that were in the movie, I needed no persuasion to sit down to watch "Passed Away".

Turns out that "Passed Away" was a rather enjoyable movie, which I had also expected it would be. The storyline was nicely written and equally so brought to life on the screen by Charlie Peters.

The situations throughout the course of the movie were mostly funny, and some were rather outrageous. But overall, there was a good feel to the movie, and while the family was definitely odd, it was just something you could easily relate to.

I enjoyed this movie and it is definitely a movie that is still very watchable and applicable even now 29 years after it was released. If you haven't already seen this movie, it is one that you most certainly should watch if you get the chance.

My rating of "Passed Away" lands on a six out of ten stars.

Crossing Delancey at an Irish funeral

[cabotcove · 8/10 · 11 June 2000]

Fun,unchallenging, episodic fluff -- heavy on the Irish ethnicity -- easy to take. All-star cast finds plenty of good material to bring fun to awkwartd situations. Peter Riegert and Pamela Reed are standouts. This is one big cliche accompanied by 15 ancillary cliches, but who cares? Its all in good fun.

My Passed Away memory from a 6/7 year old spectator

[aliciastanciu · 10/10 · 12 January 2019]

This movie was partly filmed on the corner of my street, when I was in 2nd grade, in Oakmont. I remember getting to meet a lot of the cast and crew, as I interrupted filming when I walked home from school shouting a Christopher Columbus song I learned that day, haha. Everyone was so sweet, and especially with my sister Angela. (Bob Hoskins took her to eat lunch with him, in the cast lunch area, and signed a Roger Rabit doll for her. 😊) I fondly remember being lifted into a directors chair and being asked to sing the song again for everyone. I believe it was Larry who gave my mother his contact information, and told her if I ever wanted to get into acting to look him up. (He even got Robin Williams on the phone for her to talk to!) Sadly, my mom misplaced his info over the years so we never got to do so. Class act of cast and crew.. sad this world has lost some phenominal talent, but glad we have these films to reflect on how amazing they were!!

So glad I didn't miss this film I've never heard of.

[cherimerritt · 5 November 2011]

Great film. One of the best I've seen about families, especially lots-of-sibs families; especially lots-of-sibs Irish families. Have been a fan of Bob Hoskins and Maureen Stapleton since forever and no one could have been better in these two roles. Also a fan of Peter Riegert since Crossing Delancey. What a cutie, and perfect in this one as always. Nancy Travis was absolutely precious and the sane one (sort of a surrogate daughter to the deceased) in this clan. Also became a fan of Pamela Reed tonight. Oh, and the banjo pickin' by Jim Corr, demonstrating again the magic of familiar music, especially folkloric, to bond people together. If you're Irish, this scene alone is worth the price of admission. And one more - David Futterman. Only on the screen the last ten minutes, yet nonetheless, very memorable.

No dull moments and a definite pick-me-up after five episodes of Home Land today (yes, it's great, but emotionally strenuous). Just what I needed and I recommend it highly. Thank you, Movie Channel, for airing it.

Great off-beat comedy.

[Jack the Ripper1888 · 10/10 · 15 December 2002]

Now, you may think to yourself: "How can they make a family tragedy into a funny movie?". Yeah, I was thinking that too, but since I am a fan of good comedies, I wanted to see it. PASSED AWAY is a great comedy that makes you laugh and makes you feel good about yourself and your family. After seeing this, you will look forward to family get-togethers.

Yeah, some of the scenes are a little unbelievable, but not very many. The cast is a good one, all great stars and the script was well-written. The acting was also very good. So, remember, next time you are at the video store, remember: "Get PASSED AWAY!". Remember that Jack the Ripper told you to go rent PASSED AWAY.

PASSED AWAY gets 5/5.

There are many reasons to despise this film...

[CoenHead · 7 September 2002]

And I certainly don't have time to go through them all. But the only reason one needs to avoid this movie is the ridiculous Chinese fire drill in the funeral procession - this scene is so bad, so mind-shatteringly stupid, that one wonders just how many IQ points he or she has lost as a result of watching it.

Passed Away isn't funny, it isn't interesting, and it certainly isn't believable. One can only wonder how such a horrible movie could have been made - it has easily the worst screenplay of any modern "comedy" I've seen in a long time.

So-so movie but the details are good.

[cae8485 · 9 February 2003]

I wasn't particularly impressed by this movie, the story just seemed to drag. The jokes can be witty, but nothing that really makes you laugh. The story sounds interesting but on the whole it was boring. Certain smaller elements were, however, very funny. At the end Dan Futterman pops up. THat made it worth it , he was hilarious, I love Dan Futterman! The drunk priest was pretty humorous as well. I also enjoyed Frances McDormand and her illegal alien; his stylish hair rocked my world. Everything else was only so-so. movie:5/10 Dan Futterman:11/10