Death at a Funeral (2007)

61% of critics liked it
(127 reviews)
79% of users liked it
(62,613 ratings)

This nutty British comedy observes with jet-black humor the myriad outrageous calamities that befall an eccentric English clan with more than a few skeletons in its closets when its patriarch dies an unexpected death. Soon, every complication imaginable -- including the wrong corpse in the coffin,… More This nutty British comedy observes with jet-black humor the myriad outrageous calamities that befall an eccentric English clan with more than a few skeletons in its closets when its patriarch dies an unexpected death. Soon, every complication imaginable -- including the wrong corpse in the coffin, the accidental consumption of hallucinogenic drugs, and the disclosure of the deceased's closeted homosexuality -- befall the grief-stricken mourners. The funeral commences at the family estate, with the arrival of younger son Daniel (Matthew MacFadyen), who has long felt uncomfortable around his cocky, licentious novelist brother, Robert (Rupert Graves) -- and thus dreads seeing him. Meanwhile, Daniel is also struggling to adhere to promises he's made to his wife (Keeley Hawes). Also arriving at the house are cousin Martha (Daisy Donovan) and her intended, Simon (Alan Tudyk), who embarrasses just about everybody, including himself, by accidentally consuming a strange drug that inflicts him with wild delusions and gives him an uncontrollable penchant for exhibitionism. But the event that truly turns the family members onto their ears is the arrival of a dwarf (Peter Dinklage) who speaks openly of the patriarch's secret passions, which included dressing up in a kinky gladiator outfit and watching young men skinny-dip. Frank Oz (In & Out, Bowfinger) helmed the film, while Dean Craig authored the script. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 30 min.
Directed By: Frank Oz
Written By: Dean Craig
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 17, 2007 Wide
On DVD: Feb 26, 2008
Studio: MGM

Critic Reviews

Mark Bourne, Film.com
It's no classic, but it did prompt me to watch those great old Ealing Alec Guinness comedies again.
Susan Walker, Toronto Star
Death at a Funeral might have been made in the 1960s, not to be released until well past its stale date.
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail
Weighing in at a brisk 90 minutes, the picture does have the advantage of brevity, and on screen no less than off, there's much to be said for a quick send-off.
Claudia Puig, USA Today
Death at a Funeral may be the funniest movie ever set in such a deadly serious setting.
, Denver Post
No, there aren't a lot of surprise giggles in it. But at this Funeral, the pleasure is in seeing those giggles coming.
Kyle Smith, New York Post
If, like me, you ever thought the supply of British comic talent was unlimited, here's surprisingly convincing evidence to the contrary.
Peter Canavese, Groucho Reviews
Proves you can spell funeral without 'fun.' [Blu-ray]
Joshua Starnes, ComingSoon.net
Death at a Funeral never quite hits the farcical heights it's aiming for, but it's still got plenty going for it, thanks to an excellent cast and experienced direction.
Nick Rogers, Suite101.com
When turned loose on accessible, not altogether-insincere dark-comedy scenarios, Frank Oz understands humor at a molecular level of structure, volume and timing. An impossible last-shot stinger aside, "Death at a Funeral" is farce at its most flawless.
Jeffrey Chen, Window to the Movies
Lazy comedy, and it's only made passable mainly by its manic cast and pace.
Alonso Duralde, AfterElton.com
Despite a final half hour that's full of laughs, Death takes so long getting its farce gears moving that the audience becomes comatose with anticipation of mirth that is too late in coming.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...an ingratiating bit of energetic silliness that'll surely delight fans of British comedy...
Mike Scott, Times-Picayune
Death be not proud, but it sure be funny in this deliciously dark comedy.
Heather Huntington, ReelzChannel.com
Who knew the man behind Miss Piggy (literally) did English humor so well?
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
Oz goes back to the well and taps into British humor, which has been so influential over the years for him, going back to The Muppet Show" in the 70s
Sean Axmaker, MSN.com
[Frank] Oz hits a couple of great gags, but most of it feels tired and overworked...

Read all 16 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Cynthia S

Funny funny FUNNY-ASS movie!!! :) I'm just sayin.
Sophie B

Such a brilliant and well thought out script with plenty of twists and turns and character development that keeps you interested throughout. There is no minute where you are unentertained. The great cast react and flow very well with each other giving such a screen authenticity… More
Such a brilliant and well thought out script with plenty of twists and turns and character development that keeps you interested throughout. There is no minute where you are unentertained. The great cast react and flow very well with each other giving such a screen authenticity you'd think you were really at the funeral watching this unfold yourself. The best of British.
Richard C

Really funny and better than the remake. Grade: B+
Ginny

Keep it together, keep it together, you can do this... You're Simon Smith... You're a solicitor... You're a solicitor!... Eight hours! That's no problem! Eight hours will end in... (Looks at wrist) where's my watch?! (Looks at other wrist, where his watch is)… More
Keep it together, keep it together, you can do this... You're Simon Smith... You're a solicitor... You're a solicitor!... Eight hours! That's no problem! Eight hours will end in... (Looks at wrist) where's my watch?! (Looks at other wrist, where his watch is) Oh!... It's already been..... Seven hours to go... Oh Jesus, GD FUUUCK!!!! -- XD!! And I could watch it again, and again, and again, and again! ^_^
James A

A funny and enjoyable British comedy.
Thomas B

A comedy of escalating hilarity. Full review later.
Spencer S

Wasn't expecting much from some dinky movie at from the local video store, but was without a doubt one of the funniest films of the year, and probably better than the American adaptation, which I have yet to see.
Anthony L

A subtle comedy with some great performances and a brilliant story. Not quite black-comedy but certainly not in-your-face or crass, it's only weaknesses come from it being a little slow to start and by misleading sub-plots and pointless characters but apart from that, it is… More
A subtle comedy with some great performances and a brilliant story. Not quite black-comedy but certainly not in-your-face or crass, it's only weaknesses come from it being a little slow to start and by misleading sub-plots and pointless characters but apart from that, it is deliciously wicked and one of the best British comedies for ages, sadly that's not such a tough thing to achieve these days, but it is all good here! I'm slightly puzzled as to why they would remake this film but I'm curious to find out and will no doubt check it out anyway.
Lanning :

An ensemble British go at it along the lines of Four Weddings and a Funeral. The cast is excellent, but unlike Four Weddings, the writing is not strong, and neither is the level of the material. Good for some excellent laughs, but the overall… More
An ensemble British go at it along the lines of Four Weddings and a Funeral. The cast is excellent, but unlike Four Weddings, the writing is not strong, and neither is the level of the material. Good for some excellent laughs, but the overall story may leave you flat.
Aaron N

Jane: Would you like a cup of tea, Sandra? Sandra: Tea can do many things, Jane, but it can't bring back the dead. A funny ensemble comedy from director Frank Oz. It takes place at a funeral and mixes a lot of dry British humor with a little slapstick, and some sitcom… More
Jane: Would you like a cup of tea, Sandra? Sandra: Tea can do many things, Jane, but it can't bring back the dead. A funny ensemble comedy from director Frank Oz. It takes place at a funeral and mixes a lot of dry British humor with a little slapstick, and some sitcom aspects that keep it from being better. However, despite the many high/drug induced performances used for comedic effect, Alan Tudyk does a great job at being under the influence during the worst possible time. The film is set during the funeral of the father of our lead character, Daniel played by Matthew MacFadyen. After getting the right coffin to arrive at the house, the majority of the film involves assembling all the characters, who are of course relatives or friends. Daniel in particular is very nervous about giving the eulogy of his father, mainly due to his hot shot brother Robert also arriving and not doing so, despite being a successful and popular author. The other characters include Daniel's wife, who must deal with the mother who doesn't like her and of course appreciates Robert more than Daniel, openly. Ewen Bremner pops up (downplaying his accent for a change) as a suave guy, trying to hook up with a one night stand of his, Martha, who is currently dating Alan Tudyk's character - Simon. Simon of course made a big mistake by taking a hallucinogenic drug instead of what he thought was Valium. Then you have Peter Dinklage showing up as a sort of "friend" to the deceased, with ideas of his own. Basically, the film works with its premise to set up some funny sequences and gives all the actors a good chance to play with their characters, even if all the setups don't feel all that natural. Its still a good effort and certainly worth a watch. Robert: What are you doing in my dad's coffin?!
Lorenzo v

"Last rites... and wrongs." Chaos ensues when a man tries to expose a dark secret regarding a recently deceased patriarch of a dysfunctional British family. <center>"Last rites... and wrongs." Chaos ensues when a man tries to expose a dark secret regarding a recently deceased patriarch of a dysfunctional British family. <center>REVIEW</center> Funerals are serious business, where the mood is usually grim and sombre, and friends and family come together to commemorate the passing of their loved one. The proceeding is usually prim and proper, with some protocols to adhere to, for fitting tributes given in a dignified manner. Death at a Funeral however, is a delightfully wicked black comedy of everything that can go wrong in a funeral. Daniel (Matthew Macfadyen) is preparing for the funeral of his dad, but my, there are so many things on his plate, such as bring trusted to provide the eulogy rather than his brother Robert (Rupert Graves), who is a best selling author, and having his wife constantly remind him about their deposit for their new home. With the gathering of family and friends, expect the bizarre to happen, and it involves around, and this is not exhaustive, meeting the new prospective father-in-law when you're high on hallucinogens (Alan Tudyk in a scene stealing role here), a perpetually missing bottle of "Valium", a pastor who's in a hurry, an old senile uncle with a foul mouth, and a 4 foot tall stranger who seems to have a very shocking secret to reveal should he not get his way. There are multiple plot elements here all perfectly linked together like a well oiled stage play, and resolved in very satisfying outcome. As a comedy, there are the big moments that are played out just for laughs, but what is commendable, is how it managed to sustain that laughter throughout the movie. It's not just laugh out loud moments, but little chuckles sprinkled along the way that had brought out smiles. And as you would already come to expect from a British production, the movie contains superb individual spoken lines that you would have to listen attentively to (and deserves repeat watching), but at the same time doesn't give you an inkling of a feeling that it's only for the linguistically-skilled, because hey, it does enjoy that occasionally toilet humour as well!
Jens S

Hysterically funny British comedy about a funeral going wrong thanks to LSD pills, a grumpy wheel chair user, a hypochondriac and a blackmailing midget. Directed by "Yoda" Frank Oz, it combines all the known features of black and politically incorrect British humor. While it… More
Hysterically funny British comedy about a funeral going wrong thanks to LSD pills, a grumpy wheel chair user, a hypochondriac and a blackmailing midget. Directed by "Yoda" Frank Oz, it combines all the known features of black and politically incorrect British humor. While it starts out somewhat slow and regular, the film burns a real firework of gags in the second half, culminating in one of the funniest and most wonderfully awkward scenes ever. The acting is accordingly excellent, with Brits either trying to keep their composure or losing it altogether. Go see this and you'll laugh tears like I did.
Luke B

Absolutely hilarious British comedy at it's best. It's an over-the-top farce, but grounded in reality. Things just keep going that one step further as the belly laughs continue to get louder. The performances are perfect, as no one plays it for laughs, it's the dry wit… More
Absolutely hilarious British comedy at it's best. It's an over-the-top farce, but grounded in reality. Things just keep going that one step further as the belly laughs continue to get louder. The performances are perfect, as no one plays it for laughs, it's the dry wit that works. I wonder if Martin Lawrence and Chris Rock will have such subtlety in the remake. There's a lot here you would have seen before, but never has it been done so well. From Tudyk's painfully fantastic drugged up fiance, to Nyman showing how to act out a "poo on fingers" scene. There isn't a weak link here, nor an unfunny minute. There's just too much to praise and just needs to be watched.
paul s

the funny thing with dark humour is you either get it or you don't. Here, the setup is devine, the actors wonderful, and there are so many laugh out loud moments that you forgive the over the top hysteria (unnecessary in many scenes - and at this film's lengh, probably just… More
the funny thing with dark humour is you either get it or you don't. Here, the setup is devine, the actors wonderful, and there are so many laugh out loud moments that you forgive the over the top hysteria (unnecessary in many scenes - and at this film's lengh, probably just filler), and the obviousness of some of the setups. Some of the brashness works, like the midget extortionist, some make you roll your eyes, but has a better payoff (the drugged by accident dweeb), and some just don't work at all (the crippled uncle Albert, and the potty scene that accompies it). In the final analysis, I laughed out loud many times, and there is one very "true" moment; while everyone at a funeral feels uncomfortable, mumbling empty platatudes "sorry for you loss" and all, there is a scene when the niece of the deceased confronts her controlling, pompous doctor father, telling him that he needs an attitude adjustment to prevent becomming a bitter, lonely old man. Just a throw away scene, and yet very, very true.
Film C

I Really quite liked this movie, its funnny and entertaining and a good story, great cast and acting ! Its about a mans funeral and its ment to be a nice peaceful send off but ends up with secrets and drugs and a near death of a hobbit!! its a good light hearted humourous movie… More
I Really quite liked this movie, its funnny and entertaining and a good story, great cast and acting ! Its about a mans funeral and its ment to be a nice peaceful send off but ends up with secrets and drugs and a near death of a hobbit!! its a good light hearted humourous movie really worth a watch and men in suits and the lovely keeley hawes!
familiar s

I didn't feel any of these descriptions, mentioned on the DVD cover, fit this movie perfectly: "A comedy to die for", "Insanely funny", "Uproariously funny". It was a passable comedy which is surely not a "must watch" IMHO.
Jani H

"All I wanted to do today was to give him a dignified send-off. Is that really so much to ask?" This British gem, directed by Yoda aka Frank Oz, was a genuine proof of that, once in a while, a film can come out of nowhere and make you laugh so much that it actually hurts.… More
"All I wanted to do today was to give him a dignified send-off. Is that really so much to ask?" This British gem, directed by Yoda aka Frank Oz, was a genuine proof of that, once in a while, a film can come out of nowhere and make you laugh so much that it actually hurts. The story is funny, the subject may not be but "Death at a Funeral" will surely deliver some insane scenes. There is not a single dull moment in the film. There's a lot of various characters but basically everything evolves around a selected few. The acting is very good with many really hilarious performances. Peter Dinklage once again steals the show. I've been somewhat of a fan of his ever since I saw his wonderful portrayal in "The Station Agent". If you're into dark (British) humor, you'll probably like the movie just as much as I did. I recommend that you go and see "Death at a Funeral" now before the US remake. Don't we just hate remakes? The question is once again, why try to do a remake of something that is already that good? Go figure and go see it!
Tim S

Incredibly unfunny movie. Maybe it's just me, but the whole comedy of errors routine really doesn't make me laugh in any way, shape, or form. This film is like a British Noises Off and even more terrible. The leads seem to be going through the motions and even Pirate Steve… More
Incredibly unfunny movie. Maybe it's just me, but the whole comedy of errors routine really doesn't make me laugh in any way, shape, or form. This film is like a British Noises Off and even more terrible. The leads seem to be going through the motions and even Pirate Steve is given no more to work with than that zany guy who takes acid because "whoopsy!" he thought it was valium. To think that they are making a remake of this movie is tragic. They should have never made the original. Anybody who has ever taken a screenwriting class could probably see where the movie is headed within the first ten seconds. Frank Oz is disgracing Muppets with this movie.
Tim S

Whatever lead Frank Oz to direct Death At A Funeral, I'm pleased that he did. This movie is not the award-winning type, nor is it a low brow zany comedy...it lies somewhere in between. The film's strengths and weakenesses are fairly balanced without feeling too contrived.… More
Whatever lead Frank Oz to direct Death At A Funeral, I'm pleased that he did. This movie is not the award-winning type, nor is it a low brow zany comedy...it lies somewhere in between. The film's strengths and weakenesses are fairly balanced without feeling too contrived. As for the comedic value, this film made me laugh out loud quite a bit. A rather non-insane cast of characters put together that as a group just create chaos. Everyone puts forth their best efforts. Daisy Donovan and Andy Nyman shine here, but the biggest surprise to me was Alan Tudyk who pulls off a funny, sympathetic and inventive performance. The story itself is absurd and zany, but somehow manages to stay on the ground most of the time. There are times when it tends to stray and veer off into madcap territory, but thankfully not for very long. This is a funeral after all. The film is decently shot, although a lack of style and some sorely missed opportunities to freshen up the angles and viewpoints definitely couldn't have hurt. However, there are some nice shots in the film and the color palette is slightly broad, so I can't write it off entirely. This is a heart-warming film to an extent and has medium comedic value. It's definitely worth a rent, or if you happen to catch it on cable, do so. You'll get quite a few laughs.
Alice S

Not quite as funny as I had hoped. A little too much slapstick and hedging around with dialogue.