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Amazon.co.uk Review
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
DVD Description
Death At A Funeral follows the comic twists and turns as a family gather for the funeral of their father. Brothers Daniel (Matthew Macfadyen) and Robert (Rupert Graves) are at each other’s throats until a mysterious guest from their father’s past threatens to unveil an earth-shattering family secret. As the brothers struggle to hide the truth from their family and friends, riotous mayhem and a hilarious sequence of events ensue, resulting in what sets out to be a dignified private affair turning into the mother of all funerals that no guest will soon forget.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Having seen a co-passenger on a flight to New Zealand rocking with laughter over this film, I chose it from the film menu and did exactly the same. I just had to watch it again on DVD at home as my laughter and that of my husband and friends would have disturbed the whole plane! It's entertainment was by no means diminished by watching it a second time. Be prepared for it with a box of tissues for the tears streaming down your faces and tummy aches from laughing so much. I have not enjoyed a film for such a long time. From the moment the film starts it is one catastrophe after another and the actors, all good British actors, play their parts extremely well. Why wasn't this film given more publicity first time round? It is certainly one of my all time favourites!
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I originally watched this on an night flight plane journey from Heathrow to Houston. Aware of my fellow travellers, I tried hard to keep my laughter contained, but to no avail. Rarely do I laugh out loud to any comedies, but this film is so well cast, well paced and fundamentally well written it is hard not to split your sides. Watched again in the comfort of the living room, it didn't fail to please at the same original level. Quite a bit of 'language' so not one for the kiddies, or oldies with a sensitive disposition, but one of the best comedies I have ever watched. It has taken pride of place in my collection and I recommend it to anyone.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This British comedy set in a house hosting a funeral with a small central cast has the feel of a stage production about it. At first it seems that the performances and scenarios are a tad over-the-top (more as you'd expect from a theatre performance) but the main character Daniel is grounded in reality and stops the film from descending into the ridiculous.
Daniel is the loyal son whose father is being buried, he's organised (and forked out for) the funeral and is dealing not only with his grief, but also with living in the shadow of his brother, a successful novelist whom everyone is very excited to meet. Just as it looks like this is going to become a very bland middle-class comedy drama, a series of events turn the day into a farce and the results are often genuinely funny. The film impressively manages to not become overly sentimental; with the strained relationship between two brothers being a key plotline it would have been easy to have become sanctimonious cheese but it avoids it.
A toilet incident, hallucinogenic drugs, and a blackmailing dwarf all manage to add humour but it has to be said that you see each joke coming. As long as you don't expect too much from the film and accept that this is a slow flick which gathers pace halfway through rather than ground-breaking British comedy, then you'll be able to enjoy it for what it is.
In a nutshell: A comedy which succeeds in making you laugh, it doesn't show you anything particularly new but this is still an entertaining film. I've not yet seen the American remake but I suspect it isn't as well acted or as subtle when it comes to the emotional side of things.
Daniel is the loyal son whose father is being buried, he's organised (and forked out for) the funeral and is dealing not only with his grief, but also with living in the shadow of his brother, a successful novelist whom everyone is very excited to meet. Just as it looks like this is going to become a very bland middle-class comedy drama, a series of events turn the day into a farce and the results are often genuinely funny. The film impressively manages to not become overly sentimental; with the strained relationship between two brothers being a key plotline it would have been easy to have become sanctimonious cheese but it avoids it.
A toilet incident, hallucinogenic drugs, and a blackmailing dwarf all manage to add humour but it has to be said that you see each joke coming. As long as you don't expect too much from the film and accept that this is a slow flick which gathers pace halfway through rather than ground-breaking British comedy, then you'll be able to enjoy it for what it is.
In a nutshell: A comedy which succeeds in making you laugh, it doesn't show you anything particularly new but this is still an entertaining film. I've not yet seen the American remake but I suspect it isn't as well acted or as subtle when it comes to the emotional side of things.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
death at a funeral
what a total waste of time never even raised a smile bad acting worse film i have seen in a long time people who liked this i failed to see why really scrappinng the barrel.
Published 3 months ago by caz
Defy You To Keep A Straight Face !
A great way to relax after a stressful week or just pure enjoyment at any time. A build-up of suspense, great visual and sound gags and a really great laugh. Read more
Published 4 months ago by G. C. Watkin
Not comedic genius but thoroughly funny nevertheless
I am pretty sure that the movie does not warrant comparisons with The Complete Fawlty Towers [1975] [DVD] (nor will they be made) and it is certainly not high brow humour that... Read more
Published 6 months ago by AK
You will literally pee your pants with laughter. I did.
I had to stop the DVD playing at one point as I was crying with laughter so hard I couldn't breath. It is the funniest film I have ever seen. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Neil Butler
The Funeral!
I purchased this DVD on the recommendation of an American tourist I met whilst on holiday, in Italy; he was raving about it and said it was "the funniest movie, ever". Read more
Published 6 months ago by samdog
hahahahaha
This film is actually hilarious from start to finish! i was pretty suprised, didn't expect it to be as good as what it is. Couldn't stop laughing!
Published 7 months ago by Mr. C. J. Davies
True Laugh Out Loud!
Someone mentioned this film to me and just told me to check it out, nothing more. I saw it on a list of inflight movies when taking a flight so I thought why not. Read more
Published 7 months ago by S. Nair
Fantastic buy
Great value, was exactly as described and it arrived very quickly. Good quality and has already been enjoyed more than once.
Published 9 months ago by jep
Hysterical Brit Flick
This film will have you crying tears of laughter. A true masterpiece of British cinema with some very well known faces. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Lorraine Sears
fun all the way
Forget the yanks buy this the best, the whole film is a laugh a minute.
the cast is great, the story great the best film I have seen in years.
the cast is great, the story great the best film I have seen in years.
Published 20 months ago by Mr. J. E. Wright
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