User Reviews

There are comedies that don’t need big gimmicks to work, and Death at a Funeral is one of them. With a simple premise —a family funeral where everything goes off the rails— Frank Oz delivers a lighthearted film full of mix-ups, misunderstandings, and pitch-black humor, the kind that’s often missing these days. The script moves quickly without pause, with increasingly absurd scenes that still feel well-timed, and though it skirts the edge of the ridiculous at times, it knows how to laugh at itself with **** cast is terrific. You can tell they’re all having fun, and that enjoyment is contagious. Each character brings something to the table without turning into a caricature. There’s room for physical gags, witty dialogue, and even a few moments of dark humor, all without losing pace or charm. Plus, the blend of classic British style with a more universal cheekiness gives it a unique tone that works surprisingly **** might not be a masterpiece, but Death at a Funeral has spark, rhythm, and enough clever touches to guarantee a good time. And the fact that it’s inspired several remakes says a lot —when something works this well, it's only natural others want to copy it. Here, the original still stands above the rest.

Incredibly funny and very silly. "You missed a spot...." .

freaking hilarious and amusing, never have i seen a funeral turned into a fun carnival show

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

The one things the Brits know how to do well is black comedy, and while this isn't top shelf, it is still a funny movie. Far superior to the ordinary American re-make.

Daniel is a decent young man, married to Jane, still living at his father's home. When his father dies, it is up to him to organize his funeral. On this painful morning, the suitable grave expression on his face, Daniel is ready to welcome his father's friends and relatives. But preserving the dignity inherent in such circumstances will be a hard task. Particularly with an undertaker who botches his work, the return from the USA of his famous but selfish brother, his cousin's fiancé who has accidentally ingested drugs, the presence a moron who takes advantage of the sad event to win back the heart (or rather the body) of a woman who is about to marry another, of a handicapped old uncle who is also the most unbearable pain in the neck. To cap it all, Daniel notices the presence among the mourners of a mysterious dwarf nobody else seems to know ****

This movie was laugh out loud hilarious. And Alan Tudyk was absolutely hysterical, I could not stop laughing at every single thing he did... he was bloody brilliant.

So... I seen the American remake of this years ago, and I think its exactly the same film somehow? Viewed 01/07/2018

Definitely one of those comedies you need to let breathe in order for it to have its full effects. From the get-go, you're presented with a series of mini-narratives and characters that seemingly feature little to no opportunity to produce amusement or quality laughs. But again, you got to give this one time. By the midpoint of Frank Oz's "Death At A Funeral," I was most assuredly hooked, as the events that unfolded from that point on were far better than the plodding and pedestrian beats laid out by the film's first half. The film's second half is everything I expected the entirety of the movie to be; dark, twisted, hilarious, and memorable. Yes, it's still not particularly nice-looking in its execution, but the jokes were - finally - there. A nice little exercise in how patience can ultimately reward the audience.

If people tripping on drugs or poop jokes are your idea of sophisticated humour, this might be up your alley. If you can take some lowbrow along with the high and enjoy it all... you're probably well beyond the demographic this was written for and will find it a tedious wait for the end credits. I give it a few points because it wasn't completely impenetrable and incoherent like a few rare movies. It was very coherent and easy to follow - it just wasn't funny.

very good comedy . the focus is on the actors james marsden ( Oscar) , martin lawrence ( ryan ) , tracy morgan ( norman ) and Danny Glover ( rusell uncle ) who made me laugh a lot

It really had to be a British to dare to do a movie about death ... and be successful. Indeed, if most of the recent comedies I have seen just made me smile, this one brought me to hilarity. I specifically wanted to congratulate Alan Tudyk, who plays his role with an exquisite humour. He plays a guy that is on drug without meaning to. It could almost be a masterpiece but unfortunately some of the subordinate actors don't bring much to the story ( such as the crazy dredge man ). It's a movie that I would particularly recommend to see when you're in a morose mood, this one might cheer you up!

Despite swindling in its title – naming the film Death at a Funeral without anyone actually dying – Frank Oz’s black humour comedy is in fact quite an honest film, fusing realistic funereal incidents to a considerably less realistic whole and letting the audience experience it through the eyes of not all too clever, successful or likeable Joe Publics. However, Dean Craig’s script will not be the one winning the prize for the wittiest, most intelligent or most amusing script of the century. Or of the year. Or of the opening weekend. Yet the British writer demonstrates flair in creating just slightly exaggerated characters that feel exactly like someone you’ve met yourself at some time. A top-tier ensemble cast is assisting him, especially uproarious with the likes of Alan Tudyk and Peter Dinklage, the duo primarily responsible for the burial going awry. But as other flaws, such as the archetypal comedy dialogue, the clichéd ending, and the unneeded scatological “humour” remain unresolved, the acting can’t elevate Death at a Funeral to any more than average. With good characters and slapstick gags, there is some fun to be had, but you’ll need more if you aspire to shape a good film. Death at a Funeral opts against that and therefore doesn’t furnish more than the occasional laugh.

If the film is so close to the original as to also be pretty much disposable once its over for ****, at least it as well serves up a healthy amount of laughs during its very brief and brisk run time.