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Death at a Funeral Review

Movies.com Critics

2.0

Dave White Profile

Not quite good grief. Read full review

3.0

Jen Yamato Profile

Funnier on film than in real life! Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 3.0
    51

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Mixed or average reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 30

    out of 100

    Variety Justin Chang

    This slavishly faithful update... fails to tap into anything culturally specific or uniquely funny in its Pasadena setting or its theoretically looser, livelier black cast. And because the characters are so flat, we couldn't care less about the blows to their sense of propriety.

    Read Full Review

  • 50

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times Betsy Sharkey

    The movie version of karaoke. It sings the same tune as the 2007 British underground hit, but it's a little, and at times a lot, off-key.

    Read Full Review

  • 50

    out of 100

    The New York Times Stephen Holden

    Think of Death at a Funeral as a comic quickie. As it presses buttons, a few laughs come out, but that's all there is to it.

    Read Full Review

  • 50

    out of 100

    USA Today Claudia Puig

    The only death at this funeral was that of a good movie.

    Read Full Review

  • 50

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter Kirk Honeycutt

    But nothing taps his own particular talents to unsettle audiences with truly edgy material. Funeral gets no more edgy than a potty joke and a corpse tumbling out of a coffin. This is nothing more than juvenile slapstick.

    Read Full Review

  • 83

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

    Reveling in mess and homegrown multiracial mayhem, Death at a Funeral finds a new lease on life.

    Read Full Review

  • 88

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    I laughed all the way through, in fact. This is the best comedy since "The Hangover," and although it's almost a scene-by-scene remake of a 2007 British movie with the same title, it's funnier than the original.

    Read Full Review

  • See all Death at a Funeral reviews at Metacritic.com

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

Iffy for 16+

Over-the-top funeral comedy digs into sex and potty humor.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this remake of a 2007 British comedy leaves no subject untouched in its quest to make its audiences laugh, including death, deception, and drugs. The humor's pretty adult, including a secret about a relative's sexuality, although the film has a fair helping of potty humor (thanks to Tracy Morgan) as well. There's plenty of swearing (including "s--t," "f--k" and "asshole"), and some of the movie's most pointed humor comes from the consequences of popping hallucinogenic pills. Though all played for laughs, the sibling rivalry, blackmail, and insults don't make for the best humor for impressionable kids.

  • Families can talk about why gatherings such as funerals, births, and holidays bring out the best and worst in families. What is it about these moments that drive people to unbox old grudges and reveal secrets?
  • What was so funny about the drug use in the movie? Was it realistically portrayed? What are real consequences of taking drugs like they do in the movie?
  • The movie's a farce, clearly, and yet it has some universal truths about families in it. What do you think they are?

The good stuff
  • message true0

    Messages: While the takeaway is that life is too short for passing judgements, holding grudges, and not reaching out for your dreams, these messages are mixed in with plenty of drug use, swearing, and juvenile behavior (by adults).

  • rolemodels true0

    Role models: A few of the characters aren't on their best behavior, including an insulting, elderly uncle; a condescending ex-boyfriend; a hypochondriac; a blackmailer; and more. But for the most part, everyone pulls together in the end and puts their best foot forward to honor a man's life and his family.

What to watch for
  • violence false2

    Violence: A few mildly violent moments, but all played for laughs, including: an old man aggressively poking a relative with a cane and constantly berating him; two brothers who regress and start wrestling each other because they're upset with each other; former lovers arguing loudly; a guest at the funeral accidentally drugged and thrown around.

  • sex false3

    Sex: Sexual innuendos fly; a guest shows compromising pictures of him and a lover (the audience doesn't see anything explicit, but the reaction from the characters imply that one of the pics is); references to a sexual position; a character strips while he is on drugs; another character discusses how she needs to be intimate with her husband to get pregnant; an older man hits on a younger woman.

  • language false5

    Language: Frequently pungent: everything from "moron" to "bastard" to "damn," and "s--t," "asshole," and "f--k." Also, several uses of "Goddamn," "Oh my God," and "Jesus Christ" as exclamations.

  • consumerism false0

    Consumerism: A few brands name-checked, including TMZ and Valium.

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: A pharmacology student hides his stash of homemade pills made from mescaline and LSD into a bottle labeled "Valium," which is then mistaken for the name on the bottle and is ingested by at least two of the characters, causing mayhem.

An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology.

© Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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Fan Reviews provided by

Average Rating: 3.921
Read all reviews Write a review at Fandango
5

Five Word Review by oldsaltydog
you will pee your pants

3

Laughed so much more at preview scenes by birac
Wow, I thought this was going to be a big kick-off for summer movies. Wrong. Mildly entertaining. Very mundane in the comedy department considering what huge talent was available. Favorites were Marsden on acid. He was just right. Considering the character sounded pretty clean of any substances,he did a nice job of being totally out of his element,without being ridiculously overboard,which could easily occur in this scenario.And cousin whose pills he took was convincing in being worried about it. Danny Glover is great,but what a stupid role.Wish he would have declined.He did good though. Least favorites: Luke Wilson's role was unneeded,badly acted and had zero redeeming qualities. He just isn't any good anymore. Other talents were wasted.Ending wrapped up kind of cool,but I recommend wait for dvd,etc

3

Would have said NO if it wasn't for..... by LTMF 2
James Marsden and Zoe Saldana's storyline and acting. He was really hilarious,and I'd never seen that before. I totally forgot that he wasn't really high or whatever. She was so real at being concerned and frustrated,while totally in love. And I would have said GO if it wasn't for the writer brother/18 yr old girl storyline. How tasteless. And he wasn't funny at all. Chris Rock was great at interpreting understated comedy while being the serious,responsible one. In all,except for Marsden,nothing more than preview laughs and gross toilet gimmick.I felt bad for Glover,one of my favorites. Matinee price or better, spend now on Kick Ass!!! wait for dvd on Funeral

5

Five Word Review by Kilbaneisking
Funniest Funeral you'll ever see

5

Thumbs Definitely UP by MF-MovieViewer2008
This is a great movie from start to finish..Definitely a must see...

4

by ahogan1591

5


3

by cymbalthrasher1982

Read all Death at a Funeral reviews at Fandango
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