MOVIE OF THE WEEK (4/16/10): DEATH AT A FUNERAL
KEY CAST MEMBERS: Keith David, Loretta Devine, Peter Dinklage, Ron Glass, Danny Glover, Regina Hall, Martin Lawrence, James Marsden, Tracy Morgan, Chris Rock, Zoë Saldaña, Columbus Short and Luke Wilson
WRITER: Dean Craig
DIRECTOR: Neil LaBute
WEB SITE: http://www.theback-upplan.com/
THE PLOT: Based on the 2007 British film of the same name directed by Frank Oz and written by Dean Craig (who wrote this version as well), Death at a Funeral stars Chris Rock as Aaron, a man dealing with the death of his father. His father's passing, however, seems to actually be the least of his problems ...
Aaron's wife Michelle (Regina Hall) is dying (no pun intended) to move out of the house where they have been living with his late father (Bob Minor, pulling his best Weekend at Bernie's homage) and mother Cynthia (Loretta Devine), who wants a grandchild from them NOW. Further complicating matters is the pending arrival of Ryan (Martin Lawrence), Aaron's seemingly well-to-do, successful novel writing brother from New York City.
Want more family drama? Good - you'll find it in the form of the presence of the always cranky Uncle Russell (Danny Glover), the well-to-do Uncle Frank (Ron Glass), Frank's son Jeff (Columbus Short), daughter Elaine (Zoë Saldaña) and her boyfriend Oscar (James Marsden) - the latter of which has more problems than not being Frank's first choice for his daughter's love.
Almost forgot - there's also family friends Derek (Luke Wilson) and Norman (Tracy Morgan). While Derek is interested in winning back former flame Elaine's heart, Norman is more interested in finding out just what exactly the rash on his wrist is. But none of their presences are as confounded as that of Frank (Peter Dinklage), a rather short gentleman who holds a big secret about Aaron and Ryan's father and wants to be compensated to keep it quiet ...
THE TAKE: Unless you a big film buff, it's fairly safe to assume you have not seen the original 2007 British film. Also, since I try to have this thing called a life and do not get paid anymore to see every film under the sun, I will fully admit I have not seen the original myself. (Insert shock and awe here - hey, I'm honest!)
That being said, here's what I will say about the version I have seen: It's not bad and kind of funny. While that may not seem like a glowing endorsement for a film, it isn't meant to read as a slam, but simple to temper expectations.
With some many experienced comedians in the cast, one might be surprised to learn the best jokes come courtesy of the members not known for their formidable humor talents (Marsden in particular is terrific as the "trippy" Oscar as is Glover as a grumpy old man who makes everyone around him miserable.) The film has it flaws as the best jokes are silly/downright juvenile in nature (exceriment nad gay jokes, anyone?) but hilarious in execution. Truth be told, there is no real "meat" to the material other than the age-old idea of you can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family.
Then again, that's not really the point. The point is to be funny and show how you can get a bunch of people together, put them in a situation where they all have to interact and watch the chaos that ensues. While director Neil LaBute's version is (likely) lacking the refinement of its British counterpart, but this film and that film were intended on the surface for two entirely different audiences with different sensibilities. It's a comedy movie without the stereotypes, heavy-handed messages and/or characters typical of many "urban" films that, while made to appeal to an African-American audience, works for audiences at large as well.
And since said chaos is more entertaining than it is not, Death at a Funeral lives on with enough laughs to sustain you for 90 minutes.
RATING (OUT OF FOUR POSSIBLE BUCKETS OF POPCORN):
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