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.