Death at a Funeral

A hackneyed premise boosted with hits of LSD and a gay dwarf. The successful comeback of former comedy master Frank Oz has juice, is properly British, morbid and cynical, and maintains its quality even when one of the main characters gets feces on his face. Plus it has a not entirely mainstream cast, which is all the more interesting for that. I recommend serving this up after a weekend breakfast. (08/06/2008)

I instantly liked this film the first time I saw it. I’m really keen on dry English humor, and there was plenty of it here. I enjoyed the perfect concert of the various little complications that turned the originally planned funeral into something completely different. I also liked how the individual roles were cast. The role of Simon, in particular, must have been tailor-made for Alan Tudyk. He is excellent at playing these unfortunate characters who always end up taking the fall for things that weren’t their fault. To mention a negative, I could definitely do without the toilet scene with Uncle Alfie – perhaps a German influence? (01/05/2020)

This is the perfect concentrate of all the positions of dryly black humor that perhaps only the British can boast of. That it will screw itself into absurdity will surprise no one at the first peek into the coffin; however, the fact that it manages to handle both the drugged participants and all the terrifying family secrets is an absolute mystery to me. 4 ½. (02/11/2009)

A superbly cast black comedy (like death) from the reliable Frank Oz that continually builds, surprises, entertains and amuses from the opening to the closing credits. Although I was really disgusted by one toilet moment, I laughed practically all the time. And the cast is so great, I don't know who I should praise first. An inconspicuous gem. (26/12/2015)

Excellent British humor that definitely won't appeal to everyone. An absurd drama is unfolding, gradually escalating in humiliation, but it maintains a good level the whole time, you always know it's on a lighter note and it works. It's entertaining from beginning to end, never boring. It probably won't sit well with everyone, I'm sure of that, but give this comedy a chance. Some characters and scenes are absolutely excellent. (18/02/2014)