Death at a Funeral
A myriad of outrageous calamities befalls an eccentric English clan with more than a few skeletons in its closets when the family's patriarch dies an unexpected death.
What critics thought
Frank Oz's British farce earned a modestly warm but genuinely divided reception: admirers found its ensemble cast and escalating comic chaos reminiscent of classic Ealing comedies, while detractors felt the material was too thin and stagey to justify the talent involved. The sibling-drama emotional core drew particular skepticism, and several critics noted that the gay-subplot humor felt dated even at the time of release.
“The humor manages to be simultaneously sophisticated, supremely silly, and very dark...The casting couldn't be better. With no big stars to upset the balance, the actors work together as a true ensemble, the best since Little Miss Sunshine.”
Ruthe Stein·San Francisco Chronicle
“The sibling rivalry/resolution meant to give the movie its sweet, heartfelt thread is weak, and there are stretches in which the comedy sags or settles for the predictable. But Death provides an adult tonic in a season typically abandoned to the comic book cocktail.”
Sid Smith·Chicago Tribune
“Scientists believe that black holes can slow down the progress of time. A similar effect can be felt by viewers of this damp squib of a farce as it grinds on from one lame set-up to the next.”
Phelim O'Neill·The Guardian
“in which a fine British cast is wasted on feeble material, is directed by Frank Oz in less than wizardly form.”
Philip French·The Observer
“The film's antic disposition, or rather its disposition toward antics, may strike some as an exercise in overkill, even though, curiously, the film disappointingly resolves all the comic trauma by letting everyone off the hook.”
Steve Dollar·New York Sun
Genres
Comedy, Drama
Cast & Crew
Frank OzDirector
Matthew MacfadyenDaniel
Peter DinklagePeter
Ewen BremnerJustin
Keeley HawesJane
Andy NymanHoward
Daisy DonovanMartha
Alan TudykSimon
Jane AsherSandra
Kris MarshallTroy
Rupert GravesRobert
Peter VaughanUncle Alfie
Thomas WheatleyThe Reverend
Murray GoldComposer
Dean CraigWriterDeath at a Funeral
A myriad of outrageous calamities befalls an eccentric English clan with more than a few skeletons in its closets when the family's patriarch dies an unexpected death.
What critics thought
Frank Oz's British farce earned a modestly warm but genuinely divided reception: admirers found its ensemble cast and escalating comic chaos reminiscent of classic Ealing comedies, while detractors felt the material was too thin and stagey to justify the talent involved. The sibling-drama emotional core drew particular skepticism, and several critics noted that the gay-subplot humor felt dated even at the time of release.
“The humor manages to be simultaneously sophisticated, supremely silly, and very dark...The casting couldn't be better. With no big stars to upset the balance, the actors work together as a true ensemble, the best since Little Miss Sunshine.”
Ruthe Stein·San Francisco Chronicle
“The sibling rivalry/resolution meant to give the movie its sweet, heartfelt thread is weak, and there are stretches in which the comedy sags or settles for the predictable. But Death provides an adult tonic in a season typically abandoned to the comic book cocktail.”
Sid Smith·Chicago Tribune
“Scientists believe that black holes can slow down the progress of time. A similar effect can be felt by viewers of this damp squib of a farce as it grinds on from one lame set-up to the next.”
Phelim O'Neill·The Guardian
“in which a fine British cast is wasted on feeble material, is directed by Frank Oz in less than wizardly form.”
Philip French·The Observer
“The film's antic disposition, or rather its disposition toward antics, may strike some as an exercise in overkill, even though, curiously, the film disappointingly resolves all the comic trauma by letting everyone off the hook.”
Steve Dollar·New York Sun
Genres
Comedy, Drama
Cast & Crew
Frank OzDirectorMatthew MacfadyenDanielPeter DinklagePeterEwen BremnerJustinKeeley HawesJaneAndy NymanHowardDaisy DonovanMarthaAlan TudykSimonJane AsherSandraKris MarshallTroyRupert GravesRobertPeter VaughanUncle AlfieThomas WheatleyThe ReverendMurray GoldComposerDean CraigWriter