Death at a Funeral is a delightfully odd-ball black comedy. Very much in the vein of their forefathers (Monty Python, anyone?), nothing is off-limits here. In the wake of an American remake that is nothing but a horrible comedy with black people, I feel compelled.
The British do it better.
Fans of dark British humor and odd comedy will enjoy this rather peculiar movie. David (Matthew Macfayden) is nervous about his father's funeral wake. He is delivering the eulogy even though his brother, Robert (Rupert Graves) is a famous writer. But when a strange midget (Peter Dinklage) appears and threatens to expose the recently deceased patriarch's extramarital gay affairs lest David and Robert pay him off, the brothers take matters in their own hands.
Frank Oz directs this madcap piece filled with a virtual no-name {to me anyways} and mostly British cast. Led by Macfayden {Pride & Prejudice} like you've never seen, Death at a Funeral is an insane romp. The far-fetched plot is a perfect medium for some great individual performances. Alan Tudyk (A Knight's Tale, 3:10 to Yuma, Dodgeball) as the boyfriend who is unknowingly macked-out on acid, gets a perfect opportunity to shine and steals the show. Macfayden is a straight-laced foil to his co-stars. Graves, Dinklage, Kris Marshall, Andy Nyman, Daisy Donovan, and Jane Asher {Paul McCartney's one-time girl friend} all have moments that induce side-splitting laughter.
Family relations are always complex. Sibling rivalry is just the beginning in this British farce where family turmoil ultimately threatens to overshadow the funeral. Despite it all, a heartfelt eulogy is delivered.
Death at a Funeral is NOT for everyone. If you like your humor quick, dry, un-PC, and British, then this is for you. From the moment the wrong body is delivered to the front door, Death at a Funeral is a spot-on comedy.
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