Film Reviews

Death at a Funeral (2010)

• Rating:
• Director:
• Starring: Chris Rock
• Details: US/92mins 15A

While it's easy to understand the logic of a comedian wanting to stretch himself and do drama, having him appear in a outright comedy playing more-or-less the straight role, boggles the mind. When that comedian happens to be Chris Rock (one of the funniest men on the planet), and the more overt comic lines are given to Martin Lawrence (!), nonsensicality seems to be the dish of the day. Purposely frantic and regularly attempting the type of slapstick humour that would be more at home in a teen sex comedy, this strange remake is low on laughs, but high on effort.
Rock plays the eldest of two sons, organising his recently passed Father's funeral. His mother is struggling to cope, and his younger, more successful brother has returned home, stealing the limelight - but refusing to pay for anything. On top of that, he's got a homosexual midget trying to blackmail him, a family friend high on a hallucinogenic drug, and a wife constantly badgering him to make a baby.
I love Chris Rock. I genuinely believe he is one of the sharpest comedic minds of the last century, and I can pretty much quote every one of his shows, word-for-word. That said, he's horribly miscast and pretty mediocre here. It's wrong to expect a sardonic, foul-mouthed rant in every one of his films, and he should be given a chance to stretch himself, but playing the straight man who occasionally vents doesn't suit him in the slightest. Every sigh feels forced, and every sombre moment lacking in emotion. That said, this is still a comedy that isn't funny - which is its main downfall.
Lawrence is predictably shite, but James Marsden is amusingly game, really throwing himself into the physical comedy, in an otherwise poorly written part. Other high calibre cast members such as Tracey Morgan and Luke Wilson fail to find laughs, despite being placed in overtly comic situations. The timing isn't there and, crucially, the script isn't either. Director Labute pretty much mimics the shenanigans of the original UK version, even casting one of the same core cast members.
The purpose here appears to involve bringing a new version of a little-seen British comedy to American audiences. So, if you've seen the original, there's no point ponying up the dough again, even if you're a fan of some of the talented cast.

Review by Mike Sheridan