Death at a Funeral Review
By David Kempler
Putting the Fun in Funeral
Director Neil LaBute ("In the Company of Men") has reproduced 2007's film, "Death at a Funeral", almost scene for scene. LaBute's 2010 version, instead of being a British production, is American and almost entirely cast with African-Americans actors. The original was funny and this version, surprisingly, is equally funny, albeit in a different way.
Usually remakes suffer greatly in comparison and there is no doubt that LaBute's version is often sophomoric and stupid, but the bottom line is that you will laugh early and often, sometimes in an almost convulsive fashion.
The funeral of the patriarch of a successful family is taking place in his home. His oldest son, Aaron (Chris Rock), also lives there with his wife, Michelle (Regina Hall), and his mother, Cynthia (Loretta Devine). His successful writer brother, Ryan (Martin Lawrence) is back home for the funeral and Aaron is jealous of his brother's fame and career.
The rest of the attendees include very funny folks in very funny roles. Danny Glover is the cantankerous and verbally filthy old guy confined to a wheelchair and he has some of the best lines. Peter Dinklage (the only returnee from the 2007 film) lends a serious feel to the plot but is no less funny than everyone else. James Marsden plays the guest who mistakenly ingests a hallucinogen and all of his scenes are excellent. Special kudos to Tracy Morgan, whose screen presence and ability to crack us up grows every time we see him. There are no glaring weaknesses except, for a few moments, Rock's brilliant comedic talents that work so well on stage fail to ignite on screen. He does have some funny lines, though.
The straw that stirs the drink is LaBute. He keeps the pace one step short of frenetic. By doing this, the larger-than-life talents of his cast remain harnessed, but with the freedom to stretch out and flex. If you're looking for highbrow humor, skip it, but if you're content to get down in the trenches and laugh your butt off, attend this hilarious funeral.
