I wasn't quite sure what to expect out of this, even though I had enjoyed the trailer in the theater. There had been some comments about cruel humor, which I just didn't see. The story was well structured, with groundwork laid early on for very funny bits much later in the film that got us laughing hard without hitting us over the head with the joke. The moments of comic tension were good, without that excruciating sense that someone was going to be horribly embarrassed, or hurt, or whatever, that American films seem to have. The situation is very well known to everyone who's been to a family funeral, although in America we would have the service in a funeral home or church, and we've all had moments when we want to laugh at the wrong time, or notice something a little out of the ordinary in the service that seems to cry out for comment. My husband, 14 year old daughter and I enjoyed the film immensely, and we all gave it an 8 out of 10, with some good carryover lines to quote amongst ourselves. Go see it, enjoy, and leave the political correctness at home.
272 Reviews
Hilarious!!! One of the best comedies.
gwest-5816018 September 2018
a man's funeral turns into a three-ring circus
blanche-217 September 2013
"Death at a Funeral" is a hilarious British black comedy from 2007 starring Matthew MacFadyen, Peter Dinklage, Jane Asher, Alan Tudyk, Kris Marshall, Rupert Graves, and Peter Vaughan.
A family gathers for the patriarch's funeral: his wife (Asher), his son Daniel (MacFadyen) and his wife Jane (Keely Hawes, MacFadyen's real-life wife), and his son Robert (Rupert Graves). Robert is a well-known author living in a New York City penthouse; Daniel and Jane have been looking after his parents but now are planning to get a flat further away. Daniel and Robert are supposed to split the cost of the funeral, but Robert claims to have no money because it's expensive to keep up his lifestyle. He also won't give the eulogy, though everyone who walks in asks him if he's going to. Meanwhile, Daniel practices a eulogy but never seems to get past, "My father was an exceptional man." Meanwhile, the funeral home has brought the wrong body and has to return to get the right one.
Daniel and Robert's cousin Martha (Daisy Donovan) is attending the funeral with her boyfriend Simon (Tudyk). When they go to pick up Troy (Marshall), Martha gives the nervous Simon what she thinks is a Valium. It's a hallucinogenic concocted by Troy, who is a pharmacy student. By the time they get to the wedding, Simon is acting strangely. Not as strangely as he would act later on, but strangely.
Daniel notices a dwarf (Dinklage) at the funeral; the man says he wants to speak with Daniel privately. His name is Peter.
That's all I'll say but the story becomes more and more bizarre and funny, including a hypochondriac with a discoloration on his wrist that he's sure is a dreaded disease, blackmail, nudity, a locked bathroom, and lots of other things.
Very, very entertaining with fine performances, no one going for laughs, just playing the characters. That's really the way to do it. One of my favorite parts occurs when Robert tries to dismiss the problems brought in by Peter, saying, "Oh, no one even noticed him." "No one noticed him?" Daniel asks. "He's 4'5!" A lovely ending puts the cap on this entertaining film.
A family gathers for the patriarch's funeral: his wife (Asher), his son Daniel (MacFadyen) and his wife Jane (Keely Hawes, MacFadyen's real-life wife), and his son Robert (Rupert Graves). Robert is a well-known author living in a New York City penthouse; Daniel and Jane have been looking after his parents but now are planning to get a flat further away. Daniel and Robert are supposed to split the cost of the funeral, but Robert claims to have no money because it's expensive to keep up his lifestyle. He also won't give the eulogy, though everyone who walks in asks him if he's going to. Meanwhile, Daniel practices a eulogy but never seems to get past, "My father was an exceptional man." Meanwhile, the funeral home has brought the wrong body and has to return to get the right one.
Daniel and Robert's cousin Martha (Daisy Donovan) is attending the funeral with her boyfriend Simon (Tudyk). When they go to pick up Troy (Marshall), Martha gives the nervous Simon what she thinks is a Valium. It's a hallucinogenic concocted by Troy, who is a pharmacy student. By the time they get to the wedding, Simon is acting strangely. Not as strangely as he would act later on, but strangely.
Daniel notices a dwarf (Dinklage) at the funeral; the man says he wants to speak with Daniel privately. His name is Peter.
That's all I'll say but the story becomes more and more bizarre and funny, including a hypochondriac with a discoloration on his wrist that he's sure is a dreaded disease, blackmail, nudity, a locked bathroom, and lots of other things.
Very, very entertaining with fine performances, no one going for laughs, just playing the characters. That's really the way to do it. One of my favorite parts occurs when Robert tries to dismiss the problems brought in by Peter, saying, "Oh, no one even noticed him." "No one noticed him?" Daniel asks. "He's 4'5!" A lovely ending puts the cap on this entertaining film.
Hallucinogenic drugs, homosexual adultery, blackmail, poop (literally), nudity, and much more in One Funeral
Chrysanthepop1 February 2009
Who would expect hallucinogenic drugs, homosexual adultery, human waste (literally), nudity, and much more such unexpected surprises in a funeral? I have always been a fan of Frank Oz's work and this time he directs a black comedy about a dysfunctional family (at a funeral). What I enjoyed about it is the different kinds of humour (slapstick, macabre, toilet, metaphorical...) that all fit together. I do not enjoy the overuse of toilet humour (especially the way it has been done in numerous Hollywood summer movies) but here it is within context and the film itself is full of laugh out loud moments. Oz assembles a host of talented actors that include Keeley Hawes, Andy Nyman, Daisy Donovan, Alan Tudyk, Jane Asher, Kris Marshall, Peter Dinklage and Rupert Graves. I did not expect Matthew Macfadyen to pull off comedy and here he was a funny surprise.
The entire film is set during the funeral and what makes this film different from others of its genre is the comedy and the pace is pretty smooth. Even though some of the comedic situations were over the top (in a good way) none of it looked out of place. It's the kind of film that may not appeal to everyone but those who get it will roll on the floor laughing.
I watched it during a tired evening and I thought I wouldn't be able to sit through it because I was so tired (not because I expected the movie to be bad or anything) but the constant laughing got me energized enough throughout. It's just infectiously hilarious!
The entire film is set during the funeral and what makes this film different from others of its genre is the comedy and the pace is pretty smooth. Even though some of the comedic situations were over the top (in a good way) none of it looked out of place. It's the kind of film that may not appeal to everyone but those who get it will roll on the floor laughing.
I watched it during a tired evening and I thought I wouldn't be able to sit through it because I was so tired (not because I expected the movie to be bad or anything) but the constant laughing got me energized enough throughout. It's just infectiously hilarious!
A scatological farce and other British specialties
giorgiosurbani1 October 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Short and to the point. Family relations, death and excrement. A hallucinogenic drug who's effect takes most part of the movie. A dead father "an extraordinary man" with a skeleton in his closet shaped as a dwarf (sorry little person)with blackmail in his mind. A lot of fun to see Jane Asher as the widow, the mother. She was the girl from the swinging sixties,, the Beatles "Deep End" and I believe Michael Caine's "Alfie" Loved to see Rupert Graves in a funny, adult turn. I miss this guy, such a good actor, so much better than others that made it big on the other side of the ocean. All in all a British sit-com dealing and doing what they do best. Toilette humor, and death, in the most straight forward politically incorrect British fashion. Frank Oz treats the whole thing as a drawing room comedy and everything goes so fast that there is no real time for a serious assessment. If you go I guarantee, at least, a couple of hearty laughs.
Awesome black comedy
RubyMouse1 February 2019
It's funny...but a bit too cruel for me
preppy-318 June 2007
An upper class British family gathers for the funeral of their father. Naturally everything goes wrong. Son Daniel wants his brother to help--but his brother is only interested in getting a girl into bed; a cousin's straight-laced boyfriend accidentally takes a hallucinogenic that makes him act quite crazy (leading to an uproarious--if sick--bit with a coffin); a little person shows up with some secrets that the family didn't know about; an elderly uncle swears nonstop and causes complications and various family members get involved with one calamity after another.
I saw this as a special preview at a film festival. My audience was in absolute hysterics almost constantly. I did laugh long and loud more than once and this movie has a wonderful cast going full force...but I wasn't crazy about it. Some of the humor was far too cruel for me to enjoy (poor Alan Tudyk is forced to walk around nude) and there was some real sick bathroom humor here too. The black comedy however worked well and the dead pan expressions of the cast as one disaster after another happens were quite funny. It does lead to a truly hilarious eulogy at the end. Worth catching but don't go out of your way for it.
I saw this as a special preview at a film festival. My audience was in absolute hysterics almost constantly. I did laugh long and loud more than once and this movie has a wonderful cast going full force...but I wasn't crazy about it. Some of the humor was far too cruel for me to enjoy (poor Alan Tudyk is forced to walk around nude) and there was some real sick bathroom humor here too. The black comedy however worked well and the dead pan expressions of the cast as one disaster after another happens were quite funny. It does lead to a truly hilarious eulogy at the end. Worth catching but don't go out of your way for it.
Nearly Died Laughing
hellokristen27 June 2007
I went to this screening expecting it to be a serious movie -- you don't expect to be laughing at a movie with both "Death" and "Funeral" in the title -- but this film was hilarious! It wasn't just me -- the theater was full of people screaming with laughter and clapping at various moments.
Alan Tudyk is hilarious every moment he is on screen. Finally this underrated actor has gotten a good-sized part where he can show off his comedy skills.
Most of the actors are British and I did not recognize them, but they were excellent.
One I recognized was Jane Asher (she was Paul McCartney's girlfriend in the 60s -- he shoulda married her -- she's still alive and she's not a gold-digger). She plays the very composed widow here. (Oddly she has fewer creases on her face than her middle-aged sons.)
This film reminded me a bit of "Four Weddings and a Funeral", but even more of those British madcap black comedies of the 60s with Alec Guinness or Peter Sellers.
Alan Tudyk is hilarious every moment he is on screen. Finally this underrated actor has gotten a good-sized part where he can show off his comedy skills.
Most of the actors are British and I did not recognize them, but they were excellent.
One I recognized was Jane Asher (she was Paul McCartney's girlfriend in the 60s -- he shoulda married her -- she's still alive and she's not a gold-digger). She plays the very composed widow here. (Oddly she has fewer creases on her face than her middle-aged sons.)
This film reminded me a bit of "Four Weddings and a Funeral", but even more of those British madcap black comedies of the 60s with Alec Guinness or Peter Sellers.
A solid, entertaining and delightfully unpredictable British comedy
Rickting29 June 2016
Death at a Funeral is a British black comedy about some very bizarre events which occur at a man's funeral. DAAF is very much a British comedy film, based around embarrassment, awkward situations and a dry, dark sense of humour. The film could easily be replicated on stage, and is refreshingly low key. Being British myself, I love this kind of humour, but this film is sometimes an example of too much of a good thing. Much of the time, the jokes are too subtle to get, and the film doesn't always succeed in making its awkward moments funny and it just becomes cringe-worthy instead. The film takes a little while to get going and there aren't always that many laugh-out-loud moments, but it's still a good film and well worth watching. The acting is all-around awesome with the wonderful Peter Dinklage being as brilliant as ever, many of the gags are very effective and there's a delightful mix of intelligent jokes and surprising tension. It certainly has its flaws, but it is underrated and the American remake (I haven't seen it yet) was the film I was far more aware of. Watch without seeing the trailer or knowing anything about the plot, and the film's many twists and turns will hit even harder.
7/10
7/10
quality humour
catalina_14018 November 2007
It's been ages since I had such a good time enjoying a movie. While other movies about dysfunctional families are so dramatic and serious, Death at a Funeral makes things brighter and funnier even at a funeral. The characters are not complex, but various - an accidentally drugged men, a hurting widow, a famous writer and his brother who cannot escape the other one's glorious shade, a hypochondric young men, a sever father, a sour old men, a homosexual blackmailer... and much, much chaos. This antithesis between life, with its different forms of manifestation, and death makes Death at a Funeral a juicy mild-black comedy.
MY REVIEW: Death with Laugh at a Funeral!!
saytosandeep20 April 2014
Death at a Funeral. When their father's coffin arrive in first scene, they find out that it's the wrong coffin and officials run back to bring the right coffin, you seem to know that nothing right is going to happen in next 90 minutes. As guests start arriving brining their own problems to the funeral ceremony, characters start clashing into each other intentionally or unintentionally, fun and chaos start to unravel. A crisp story not going beyond the house having funeral, comedy which is not slapstick rather quite situational, characters who are serious but are victim of unlikely surprises thrown at them. Movie never tries to do anything fresh but it is quite coherent and works like a little cracker. I am going with good 7 out of 10 for Death at a Funeral. It has nothing anything great but it is quite recommended if you are looking for some harmless fun on a lazy holiday.
Highbrow meets lowbrow: results in laughter
StacyScrip6 June 2007
I saw this at a screening and I had a rousing good time. It starts with a chuckle in the opening credits and slowly builds to spotty laughter, belly laughs, and loud groaning silliness. This is British farce with an expert ensemble cast. Everyone hits their marks and a couple go completely overboard and over-broad (Mr. Vaughn, we're looking at you.) Tudyk and Dinklage have the showiest parts and they feast on them. The rest of the cast is inspired and spot on.
It's a delightful combination of highbrow meeting lowbrow and everything in between. A dash of wit and charm mixed in with a few genuine surprises. A few old tropes are trotted out but there is a bit of backspin on them. If you want a laugh, go!
It's a delightful combination of highbrow meeting lowbrow and everything in between. A dash of wit and charm mixed in with a few genuine surprises. A few old tropes are trotted out but there is a bit of backspin on them. If you want a laugh, go!
Good old Brittania
korneel-brq8 September 2013
Eight out of ten well deserved.
For such a recent movie, it's still got the classic British humour, sometimes a little predictable, yet still it is a well-thought plot with attention for detail.
Real British scenery, top acting, really nice anticipation on certain clichés. My only remark on this, is that certain characters may have been worked more thoroughly, except for the main character(s), most characters have got a rather dull personality or we don't get to know them.
Another merit is the use of limited cast/extras and locations, the making of the movie was probably not excessively expensive, and therefore a very good outcome in comparison with the input.
For such a recent movie, it's still got the classic British humour, sometimes a little predictable, yet still it is a well-thought plot with attention for detail.
Real British scenery, top acting, really nice anticipation on certain clichés. My only remark on this, is that certain characters may have been worked more thoroughly, except for the main character(s), most characters have got a rather dull personality or we don't get to know them.
Another merit is the use of limited cast/extras and locations, the making of the movie was probably not excessively expensive, and therefore a very good outcome in comparison with the input.
seriously....
jsman-111 January 2008
In all seriousness, I expected a lot more out of this film - and it just didn't deliver. First of all, where I am from we grew up with British comedy (Fawlty Towers, Some Mothers Do Have 'Em etc etc etc), and so I can say I certainly appreciate good old British slapstick. In fact many of my favorite recent movies had followed in such vain (Hot Fuzz springs immediately to mind). But this movie is just bad. It's really not that funny. It is saved by a few Freudian moments but otherwise I feel it relies on overusing blasphemy to get a cheap laugh (just moments where people swore and they didn't need to).
The people out there claiming to be British comedy experts and giving THIS rave reviews quite simply do not know what they are talking about. Sorry. This film is a rental quality effort and no more.
The people out there claiming to be British comedy experts and giving THIS rave reviews quite simply do not know what they are talking about. Sorry. This film is a rental quality effort and no more.
I like British humor. This one is outstanding.
TxMike5 June 2008
Warning: Spoilers
I generally like the unusual humor of the British. This movie, "Death at a Funeral", has lots of unusual humor. I laughed a lot, and it is a very well written, acted, and entertaining movie.
The highjinks begin in the very first scene, when the funeral home delivers the casket to the home of the deceased, for the gathering of friends and the funeral service, and they discover that the wrong body is in it!
The rag-tag group of family, relatives, and friends arrive, and the minister starts the service, but one nervous boyfriend inadvertently took a hallucinogen instead of a Valium, and starts to have all kinds of unusual experiences. In one of them he creates a scene because he thinks the casket moves. Alan Tudyk is good as Simon Smith.
But the funniest bombshell is dropped in the form of diminutive Peter Dinklage as Peter, friend of the deceased older man. But he was more than just a friend, they apparently had been having a relationship and he wanted money to keep him quiet, otherwise he would use photos to expose the secret to all at the wake.
Lots of things happen after that, including Peter in the casket with the old man, both thought to be dead, but that wasn't quite correct.
Overall a very entertaining movie.
The highjinks begin in the very first scene, when the funeral home delivers the casket to the home of the deceased, for the gathering of friends and the funeral service, and they discover that the wrong body is in it!
The rag-tag group of family, relatives, and friends arrive, and the minister starts the service, but one nervous boyfriend inadvertently took a hallucinogen instead of a Valium, and starts to have all kinds of unusual experiences. In one of them he creates a scene because he thinks the casket moves. Alan Tudyk is good as Simon Smith.
But the funniest bombshell is dropped in the form of diminutive Peter Dinklage as Peter, friend of the deceased older man. But he was more than just a friend, they apparently had been having a relationship and he wanted money to keep him quiet, otherwise he would use photos to expose the secret to all at the wake.
Lots of things happen after that, including Peter in the casket with the old man, both thought to be dead, but that wasn't quite correct.
Overall a very entertaining movie.
Saw twice; second time better.
lydiahollowell-118 August 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I'm a total Anglophile when it comes to British actors/actresses.This promised so much and gave less than hoped for.Matthew Macfadyen was wonderful and reacted well to all the bizarre stuff going on around him, but they gave Keeley Hawes(Mrs.Matthew Macfadyen)practically nothing to do.She is a wonderful actress and has done so many strong roles; she just offered facial reactions in this film.So many great Brits in this film and so wasted.Sorry Frank Oz; I so wanted to like this film. Peter Egan,Jane Asher, the wonderful actor who provides the "Valium",Rupert Graves, and the first acid trip was funny, but that joke got pretty old by the end. Peter Dinklage is great and shows what a terrific actor he is. Actually, saw this movie a second time with a friend and they loved it. I have to admit that I did laugh more the second time around. Had clever moments and was worth seeing a second time. Also worth seeing for the ensemble of actors and to support more British and Irish films. They are just funnier than American movies and the acting is better. Well, let me update that remark: I LOVE all of Christopher Guests' movies, especially "Best in Show". If you've ever been to a dog show in America, it's pretty spot-on. Back to Frank Oz's movie: I bought the DVD and have watched numerous times now. You can always skip by the parts that you've seen and are ready to skip, but there are many funny ones, and again, with this ensemble of actors you cannot miss finding funny and silly moments worth remembering. Plus the special features are great. To see these WONDERFUL actors/actresses blow their lines, make each other laugh, and simply hear what Frank Oz went through to make this film, is pure pleasure. As we've all experienced, movies can "grow" on you as you watch them and discover things you'd miss previously. This is one of those movies. Thanks Frank Oz for bringing some very, very funny scenes into our movie memories. Cheers!
Funniest film I've ever seen!!!!
suzannedonalds27 September 2018
This is the funniest film I've ever seen. Dark comedy and so dry. I've literally watched the film over 50 times.I cry from laughter every time I watch it and i love every single one of the characters. They all bring their own eccentric quirks. I highly reccomend it.
Great British comedy
moviesleuth216 June 2008
Warning: Spoilers
There are those who say that British humor is a matter of taste. Some people, such as myself, simply don't get movies like "A Fish Called Wanda" and "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." As a director, Frank Oz's movies (like "Bowfinger" and "What About Bob?") don't make him a likely candidate to direct a movie like this. With "Death at a Funeral," Oz tries to create a film made with distinctly British humor, while "Americanize" it enough to be accessible enough for those who haven't acquired that taste. It's an ambitious project, and surprisingly, Oz gets it right for the most part. "Death at a Funeral" gets off to a rocky beginning (though it has its share of a few laughs), but once it gets going the laughs are hearty and nonstop.
"Death at a Funeral" is a film that groups a number of stories that occur at a funeral. To give them away would to take away some of the surprises, but I will say this: there are a lot of them, and each has its own subplot, plus there are a few little stories sprinkled around for spice. What's more is that this is all told in real time (except for the last two scenes). But Oz deftly keeps it all in balance and there are no plot holes. Both writer Dean Craig and especially Oz deserve credit for this.
There are really no actors that many American audiences will know, save for Peter Dinklage, and perhaps Ewen Bremner. But all the actors and actresses play their parts believably. There are no "standout" performances in the usual sense; this is an ensemble piece, and it's more important that the actors are in-sync with each other. That is key, and the even tone in the actors' performances is pervasive throughout the cast, and this is partly what makes "Death at a Funeral" as funny as it is.
Dean Craig's script is well-constructed, and perfectly zany. Craig throws in everything he can think of: poop jokes, gay jokes, drug and sex humor, and some that's just uncategorizable. Craig clearly has a sense of humor, and that is what makes this film work.
As many things that Oz does right, his foray into British comedy isn't perfect. The first part of the film is rather slow, and it isn't as accessible to those who don't have the acquired taste (for those that don't get it at first, stick with it, it gets better. A lot better.). Plus, the ending contains two instances that are meant to be empowering for some of the characters, but they don't work and are rather annoying. Other than that, "Death at a Funeral" is a great comedy.
For those who are fed up with the lame brained, clichéd "comedies" that Hollywood keeps shelling out, take a look at "Death at a Funeral." It may have a morose subject, but that's what makes it funny.
"Death at a Funeral" is a film that groups a number of stories that occur at a funeral. To give them away would to take away some of the surprises, but I will say this: there are a lot of them, and each has its own subplot, plus there are a few little stories sprinkled around for spice. What's more is that this is all told in real time (except for the last two scenes). But Oz deftly keeps it all in balance and there are no plot holes. Both writer Dean Craig and especially Oz deserve credit for this.
There are really no actors that many American audiences will know, save for Peter Dinklage, and perhaps Ewen Bremner. But all the actors and actresses play their parts believably. There are no "standout" performances in the usual sense; this is an ensemble piece, and it's more important that the actors are in-sync with each other. That is key, and the even tone in the actors' performances is pervasive throughout the cast, and this is partly what makes "Death at a Funeral" as funny as it is.
Dean Craig's script is well-constructed, and perfectly zany. Craig throws in everything he can think of: poop jokes, gay jokes, drug and sex humor, and some that's just uncategorizable. Craig clearly has a sense of humor, and that is what makes this film work.
As many things that Oz does right, his foray into British comedy isn't perfect. The first part of the film is rather slow, and it isn't as accessible to those who don't have the acquired taste (for those that don't get it at first, stick with it, it gets better. A lot better.). Plus, the ending contains two instances that are meant to be empowering for some of the characters, but they don't work and are rather annoying. Other than that, "Death at a Funeral" is a great comedy.
For those who are fed up with the lame brained, clichéd "comedies" that Hollywood keeps shelling out, take a look at "Death at a Funeral." It may have a morose subject, but that's what makes it funny.
Now there's a funny movie
thedudethatlikesstuff12 July 2014
Basically, this movie is just a bunch of people, from the same family, who get together for the funeral of the patriarch of the family. But one of those people has a secret regarding this man.
Now, the thing that I wanted to see in this movie was funny situations and the characters dealing with them in funny ways. An that's what I saw. The movie is well written, well directed, although i would have liked to see longer shots like moving into a different scene without cutting.' The acting is good too. Some of the character are pretty forgettable but there are some that I will never forget.
Like Peter Dinklage's character. I mean the dude was funny as sh*t. Rupert Graves is good in the movie, you know Lestrade from BBC's Sherlock. He kinda reminded me of Barney Stinson. There's another dude, played by Kris Marshall and he's like a drug dealer, dude was good. And Wash from Firefly he's in this movie, most of the movie he's on drugs, but he plays it good.
To wrap up the movie funny and good. That is all I have to say
Now, the thing that I wanted to see in this movie was funny situations and the characters dealing with them in funny ways. An that's what I saw. The movie is well written, well directed, although i would have liked to see longer shots like moving into a different scene without cutting.' The acting is good too. Some of the character are pretty forgettable but there are some that I will never forget.
Like Peter Dinklage's character. I mean the dude was funny as sh*t. Rupert Graves is good in the movie, you know Lestrade from BBC's Sherlock. He kinda reminded me of Barney Stinson. There's another dude, played by Kris Marshall and he's like a drug dealer, dude was good. And Wash from Firefly he's in this movie, most of the movie he's on drugs, but he plays it good.
To wrap up the movie funny and good. That is all I have to say
fine British farce
SnoopyStyle15 January 2017
Daniel (Matthew Macfadyen) and his wife Jane (Keeley Hawes) live in his father's home. Jane is eager to pay the deposit for their new flat. The father dies and they hold the funeral at the home. The day starts off badly when the wrong body arrives. Friends Howard (Andy Nyman) and Justin (Ewen Bremner) pick up Uncle Alfie. Justin is only there to chase after Martha. Daniel's cousin Martha (Daisy Donovan) is moving in with Simon (Alan Tudyk). Sandra (Jane Asher) is the widowed wife and Robert (Rupert Graves) is the self-obsessed writer son who refuses to do the eulogy or pay for his half of the funeral. Everybody wants the successful writer Robert to do the eulogy. Martha innocently takes a pill from her pharmacy student brother Troy (Kris Marshall) for Simon. It's a drug specially designed by Troy and Simon doesn't react well. Along with a cavalcade of family and friends, mysterious stranger Peter (Peter Dinklage) shows up with a secret about the father although Daniel keeps ignoring him.
This is a fine British farce. There are some fun wacky stuff in here but no big laughs. The actors work well together. They are all good at inhabiting their roles and make each one memorable. It's a lot of chuckle worthy individual performances especially Tudyk.
This is a fine British farce. There are some fun wacky stuff in here but no big laughs. The actors work well together. They are all good at inhabiting their roles and make each one memorable. It's a lot of chuckle worthy individual performances especially Tudyk.
Fantastic!
sgwdem12 July 2007
I found this to be the funniest movie that I've seen in ages. We saw it today (July 12th) in Herzliya, Israel at the local movie theater at the mall.
There were only 8 people in the whole audience, and my husband and I filled the room with howls of laughter.
The actors are fabulous, especially Alan Tudyk, Khris Marshall, Andy Nyman, Peter Dinklage, and Daisy Donovan. Actually, the whole ensemble was great.
Especially Alan Tudyk keeps his frenetic performance absolutely hysterically funny, throughout most of the film!
Free of Hollywood hype, this film was a pleasure.
The wackiest Funeral you'll ever witness.
There were only 8 people in the whole audience, and my husband and I filled the room with howls of laughter.
The actors are fabulous, especially Alan Tudyk, Khris Marshall, Andy Nyman, Peter Dinklage, and Daisy Donovan. Actually, the whole ensemble was great.
Especially Alan Tudyk keeps his frenetic performance absolutely hysterically funny, throughout most of the film!
Free of Hollywood hype, this film was a pleasure.
The wackiest Funeral you'll ever witness.
Funny
tastyhotdogs16 May 2009
"Death At A Funeral" is the story of a bunch of family and friends coming together for a funeral. The funeral gets off to a rocky start due to some feuding between brothers, the accidental drugging of one of the guests and a midget with an agenda. Yep. Soon all of these wacky circumstances become entwined when the midget threatens to expose the secret life of the deceased unless he gets some money. Before you know it someone gets knocked out, the drugged guest strips down and threatens to jump off a roof.....hilarity ensues.
A quirky Britsih comedy which takes a while to get going but the last 20mins are right up there with the best dark comedy around. A solid cast and great storyline make this one of the better "laugh out loud" movies I've seen in the last few years. Well worth a look.
A quirky Britsih comedy which takes a while to get going but the last 20mins are right up there with the best dark comedy around. A solid cast and great storyline make this one of the better "laugh out loud" movies I've seen in the last few years. Well worth a look.
Laughed the whole way through
holzifer6 April 2019
Some funerals are more entertaining than weddings
Chase_Witherspoon13 October 2012
Slow to warm-up, fortunately this understated British comedy fires on all cylinders when a wake is interrupted by the bizarre activities of its guests, among them a blackmailing dwarf (Drinklage), a drug-affected naked man (Tudyk) and the incontinence of the ageing and slightly demented Peter Vaughan character whose unfortunate nephew (Nyman) must tend to his care in comical fashion.
McFadden plays the well-adjusted son entrusted with organising his wealthy father's funeral, his mother (the once-seductive and still glamorous Asher) the remaining parental link to a dysfunctional family whose dark secrets come to bear during a day of chaos and farce. Apart from Vaughan, Tudyk, Peter Egan and Asher, none of the cast was especially familiar to me at the time I saw this in 2008, but whether you know the names or not, it doesn't matter as all the weird and wacky characters offer something different.
Tudyk is trademark eccentric as a guest who accidentally pops a party drug and ends up disrobing and climbing the stately castle's walls, while Drinklage has an hilarious scene where he bounces off a sofa onto a coffee table, and the moment where Nyman has to clean his uncle whose defecated is among the most side-splitting moments I've experienced. Doesn't always ignite, but despite the slow start an very occasional misfire, director Frank Oz's expertise knows how to build the momentum to a rousing and farcical climax that's sufficiently worth the wait.
McFadden plays the well-adjusted son entrusted with organising his wealthy father's funeral, his mother (the once-seductive and still glamorous Asher) the remaining parental link to a dysfunctional family whose dark secrets come to bear during a day of chaos and farce. Apart from Vaughan, Tudyk, Peter Egan and Asher, none of the cast was especially familiar to me at the time I saw this in 2008, but whether you know the names or not, it doesn't matter as all the weird and wacky characters offer something different.
Tudyk is trademark eccentric as a guest who accidentally pops a party drug and ends up disrobing and climbing the stately castle's walls, while Drinklage has an hilarious scene where he bounces off a sofa onto a coffee table, and the moment where Nyman has to clean his uncle whose defecated is among the most side-splitting moments I've experienced. Doesn't always ignite, but despite the slow start an very occasional misfire, director Frank Oz's expertise knows how to build the momentum to a rousing and farcical climax that's sufficiently worth the wait.
I must apologise
stemal-12 November 2007
Opened in the UK today and the reviews ranged from awful to great. Such a difference of opinion meant I had to see it.
There's much said about the difference between the US/UK sense of humour but personally I think, at least in TV terms, the US leaves us standing. Which is why I find it strange that people outside the UK seem to like this film.
For the benefit of US viewers, most of the cast are top notch UK actors. And you'll know that Frank Oz has made some decent films. But this is so awful it made me genuinely angry.
I stayed with it because I read that, despite a slow start, it gathers momentum into a kind of Fawlty Towers farce/comedy of errors. I was still waiting at the end. It was hard to watch, a film so awful it made me feel that somehow it was all my fault, and it was too late to do anything about it.
Its a shame that such a great character actor as Peter Vaughan (Uncle Alfie) is used in such a demeaning way. Worse still, it made the lovely Keeley Hawes look dowdy.
I had the choice of Heartbreak Kid or this crap tonight, and I'm pretty sure I went the wrong way.
There's much said about the difference between the US/UK sense of humour but personally I think, at least in TV terms, the US leaves us standing. Which is why I find it strange that people outside the UK seem to like this film.
For the benefit of US viewers, most of the cast are top notch UK actors. And you'll know that Frank Oz has made some decent films. But this is so awful it made me genuinely angry.
I stayed with it because I read that, despite a slow start, it gathers momentum into a kind of Fawlty Towers farce/comedy of errors. I was still waiting at the end. It was hard to watch, a film so awful it made me feel that somehow it was all my fault, and it was too late to do anything about it.
Its a shame that such a great character actor as Peter Vaughan (Uncle Alfie) is used in such a demeaning way. Worse still, it made the lovely Keeley Hawes look dowdy.
I had the choice of Heartbreak Kid or this crap tonight, and I'm pretty sure I went the wrong way.
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