Thehibikiew
Not even bad in a good way
TeenzTen
An action-packed slog
Frances Chung
Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable
Phillipa
Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.
Moviefreak
This movie is absolutely great. The sense of humour is well done, and it is very British. If you like British humour or dark humour, you'll love this movie! And I should say that I do not like comedy movies much, but I love this one. Scenerio is well written and everything in the movie fits together. The movie is certainly successful at expressing a lot in short scenes, and in a manner that is blended in the movie, while making the audience laugh and surprise. I strongly suggest this movie if you want to have a good time. Even if it does not come as funny, it is certainly not a boring one.
MartinHafer
While I would never say that "Death at a Funeral" is a brilliant comedy, it certainly takes a simple idea and makes the most of it. It's the story of a funeral that ends up having just about every awful possible thing occur throughout its course. And, I love that just when you can't imagine it getting any worse, it does! It's the sort of thing that is great fun to watch but thank goodness it's not happening to people you know and love! Now not everyone likes a comedy like this--my wife surely would have cringed repeatedly through the course of this movie. But I loved that it only got worse and worse and worse! So what exactly occurs? I'd really rather not say--it would spoil all the fun. But it really does pay off in this clever but sick comedy.
axel-koch
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 likable 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.
Scott LeBrun
Wonderful dark comedy / farce, written and performed to perfection, with an endearing and convincing British cast making the most of the material by screenwriter Dean Craig. Deftly handled by American director Frank Oz, it puts a dysfunctional bunch of relatives through some very trying times during the funeral for a patriarch. It might not always be truly laugh out loud funny, but it's twisted enough - and relatable enough - to put a smile on your face and keep it there. The setting is ideal because who better than the Brits could deliver lines in such a hilariously deadpan way and try to keep a stiff upper lip while chaos reigns?Among the story threads here are the dead mans' son Daniel (Matthew MacFadyen) having to live in the shadow of his brother Robert (Rupert Graves), a successful novelist, Simon (Alan Tudyk) being given a "Valium" to help him calm down when in reality the pill he took was a hallucinogen, a diminutive blackmailer (Peter Dinklage) showing up at the funeral with a shocking revelation for one and all, and poor, put-upon Howard (Andy Nyman) being forced to repeatedly deal with a cantankerous, wheelchair-bound senior named Uncle Alfie (Peter Vaughan). Things just get more and more out of control until the frantic climax, and that's when Daniel finally tries to get things back on course with a eulogy that is improvised but completely heartfelt.While typing this review, this viewer is reminded of that old adage that "everybody grieves in their own way", and what you won't see watching this is excess sentiment. The mourning is believable, no matter if people aren't doing that much crying. The humour, of course, is priceless. The film does go for the grossout in a big way at one point, but this provide worry wart Howard something to fret over that's worse than any mild skin discolouration. The cast is a treat to watch. Also included in this talented ensemble are lovely ladies Keeley Hawes, Daisy Donovan, and Jane Asher, as well as Ewen Bremner, Kris Marshall, Thomas Wheatley, and Peter Egan. Knowing that Tudyk is actually a Texan, it makes his performance that much more impressive as he fits right in among this crowd.Oz eases his audience into the film with a modest chuckle to begin with, and he and his actors do a fine job of making the pace pick up bit by bit. The ending is particularly funny.All in all, a bright and refreshing comedy; remade for American audiences three years later under the same title.Eight out of 10.