Death At A Funeral

Synopsis: A family comes together to put to rest a beloved father and revelations follow.

Release Date: April 16, 2010     MPAA Rating: PG-13

Genre(s): Comedy,

Film Review

Death does not have to be serious; and this movie shows us it can be downright hilarious. Revolving around the funeral of a beloved father, uncle, friend, and so on, the movie may appear to be about the grief of a family. It could not be anything further from it with excellent results. The funeral may hold the movie together but it is the constant dosing of comedy that keeps you entertained and loving every single moment. As secrets are revealed and decisions made you come to love this dysfunctional family for with everything they do, it is done with care, concern, and love. Even if it is in the most outrageous and out of the ordinary methods.

All hail James Marsden and Danny Glover. Chris Rock (Aaron), Martin Lawrence (Ryan), and Tracey Morgan (Norman) may get you in the seat for this film but James Marsden (Oscar) will be the reason you tell your friends to go watch for themselves. As the nervous boyfriend of Zoe Saldana’s (Elaine) he needs to relax. The solution: take a valium. The problem: it was not a valium. The outcome: a performance so incredibly funny it hurts. He nails the lines, the mind bending emotions, physical comedy, and every other thing the script throws at him. Everyone in the movie may be excellent, and fit together perfectly as an imperfect family, but all I can think about now is how impressed I am with Marsden. As for Danny Glover, cranky Uncle Russell, he supplies the much needed unabashed, in your face, and completely inappropriate humor every great comedy ensemble needs. Glover can do comedy when given the opportunity and this movie only lets his talents shine through.

This movie makes death incredibly funny. Mostly because the humor does not come from the “death” angle but from all the other stuff that is going on throughout. The script gives the necessary material to an amazing cast of comedians who give it everything they have and fully succeed. It also happens to have one of those scenes that everyone will be talking about and dying to discuss with their friends afterwards. Even if I tried to tell you it would pale in comparison to seeing it in action. I just hope you have a strong stomach.

It is obvious from the majority of the cast this a movie about a Black family. The reason to get wholly excited about in the film is that Race is never an issue, a remark, or an excuse. This is simply a story about family. They could be Black, Yellow, Orange, Pink, Red, White, or Bright Blue and it would not make any sort of difference. Race does not exist in this house, hallelujah!

Cast and Crew

• Director(s): Neil LaButeChris RockShare Stallings
• Producer(s): Dean CraigKeith David (Reverend Davis)
• Screenwriter(s): Peter Dinklage (Frank)Danny Glover (Uncle Russell)Martin Lawrence (Ryan)
• Story: James Marsden (Oscar)
• Cast: Tracy Morgan (Norman)Chris Rock (Aaron)Zoe Saldana (Elaine) Luke Wilson (Derek)Tracey Wadmore-SmithRogier StoffersJon Gary Steele
• Editor(s): Maya Lieberman
• Cinematographer: Christophe Beck
• Production Designer(s):
• Costume Designer: 
• Casting Director(s): 
• Music Score: 
• Music Performed By: 
• Country Of Origin: USA