 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Death at a Funeral
- Review Date: February 25, 2008
- R
- Genre: Comedy
- 2007
Common Sense Media says
Goofy burial digs up family secrets; not for kids.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that although this British farce is a comedy, its adult themes -- mortality, mourning, in-law stress -- probably won't appeal to kids and younger teens. Which isn't to say that the grown-up characters act much like adults. In fact, they behave at their very worst (which makes for funny setups, but hardly stellar examples for impressionable young viewers). Sibling rivalry, sexual secrets, drug use, and more are all in the mix, and there's also plenty of profanity ("f--k," "s--t," "wanker") and a couple of shots of a bare butt (in a nonsexual way).
What's the story?
Apropos of its title, DEATH AT A FUNERAL opens on a somber note, with a hearse pulling up to an ivy-clad house where a grieving son, Daniel (Matthew Macfadyen), awaits. A casket is carried into the house, where the seriousness is dismissed when it's opened ... and Daniel says, "Pardon me. That's not my father." So begins the uproarious ride that director Frank Oz offers in this hilarious -- though far from perfect -- British comedy. An ensemble picture by virtue of its premise -- there's a funeral, and everyone's showing up, personal baggage in tow -- the film brings together many characters, all of whom, in the end, are transformed by the not-so-solemn event. Among them are Daniel's wife, Jane (Keeley Hawes), who sees his father's death as a chance for her and Daniel to finally escape her in-laws' home; Robert (Rupert Graves), Daniel's much more successful (and as a result, self-obsessed) novelist brother; and Howard (Andy Nyman), a hypochondriac schlub whose proximity to death only accentuates his fears. There's also Martha (Daisy Donavan) and her fiancé, Simon (Alan Tudyk), who's worried about being around his future father-in-law and inadvertently takes a tranquilizer that's apparently something else. Plus foul-mouthed Uncle Alfie (Peter Vaughan), who's incontinent, and Martha's ex, Justin (Ewan Bremmer), who's pining for her. And then there's Peter (Peter Dinklage), the stranger who shows up with an atomic secret to share.
Is it any good?
With so many eccentrics in attendance, each one loaded to the gills with quirks, Death at a Funeral is an embarrassment of comedic riches -- but it could have benefited from some editing. The laughter literally never ends, even when it's forced. The scatological bits, though reliably laugh-getting, seem grossly out of place and, worse, unnecessary. If Oz had cut an oddball character or two and a few extra gags, he'd have had a classic. That said, near the end -- when yet another twist is thrown in for good measure -- even resistant moviegoers will be pummeled into submission. You can't help but laugh, and out loud.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about what happens when relatives gather for rituals -- anniversaries, weddings, birthdays, or, in this case, funerals. Why do they seem to bring out the worst in people (though everyone's supposed to be on their best behavior)? Is the atmosphere at these events really that pressured? Or does mayhem like this really only happen in the movies? What are funerals really for? How are they usually depicted in movies? How is this different?
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Teen, 14 years old
September 18, 2010
AGE
I just got down with the dvd really funny !! only for mature viewers like me !! but its a comdey it not spose to be appropite !
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Kid, 12 years old
April 29, 2010
AGE
perfect for 12+
i ove it it is hilarious
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Educator
June 7, 2009
AGE
A fantastic film!
I loved this movie!!!! It had a great plot and a laughed sooooo hard! Its not innapropriate except that there are so many f-bombs i couldnt count!
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Kid, 12 years old
December 12, 2009
AGE
Great movie, some swearing etc, but funny as!!!
this is a great british black comedy in the vein of a fish called wanda, if you are not into quirky humour then try it still! i am 12 and I love this movie, it is a cleverly written and carefully planned comedy that will have you rolling with laughter! there is some brief nudity (rear male) and quite a lot of swearing (f word, sh word, w**ker etc.), some quite crude humour and drugs are used accidentally through out the film.
There are obvious references to two of the characters being gay, and it is implied that images of gay sex acts are shown to people at the funeral.
Not for the light hearted, but a good fun movie, one of my guilty pleasures, I think that a mature 12-13 year old would definitely enjoy it if they are clever enough to understand the subtle humour!!
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Kid, 9 years old
April 18, 2009
AGE
Funniest and the best!
The funniest and best movie I ever saw- please watch if U are over 15. Extreme F-bombs, some sex related.
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
Loved It!
My husband and I are very partial to English films, so there was nothing in this movie that surprised either of us. Plus, we'd seen previews, so we knew what we were getting ourselves into. We thought it was a funny movie--not for kids, but good. It was just long enough--sometimes a movie just needs to get in and out--not linger for 2+ hours! Older teens would be fine with this movie!
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Teen, 15 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
I don't think I've ever laughed this hard
I only bought this because I had a coupon for $5 off it, but it is easily one of the funniest movies I've ever seen. It isn't too terribly bad, as far as current movies go. There is swearing, but it isn't constant, some sexual dialogue, but nothing explicit, and almost all the characters like Valium, one of them takes hard drugs thinking it's valium. This movie is incredibly funny, so watch it-- it's good for a laugh.
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
Non-stop filth & blasphemy
Actually, we didn't sit through the whole movie, but left about 30 minutes into it, receiving a refund. Nothing in the reviews had prepared us for the constant barrage of filthy language. In addition to all of the usual obscenities, characters also used that blasphemous profanity that has begun to appear in more R-rated movies recently-- Jesus' name interspersed with the f-word. Very, very offensive to Christians!!! I think there should be some special warning about this level and type of profanity, not just the generic comment, "Language." Moreover, there was nothing truly funny to redeem the film . . . at least in the first 30 minutes. It was just offensive and even tedious.
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Parent
December 18, 2011
AGE
Fantastic
An utterly excellent comedy that is my contender for third-best comdey ever, under 1st place:Bruno, and second:Borat. Don't watch the american one though. American humour has never been more idiotic.
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| Studio: | Sidney Kimmel Entertainment |
| Director: | Frank Oz |
| Cast: | Alan Tudyk, Matthew Macfadyen, Rupert Graves |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 90 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | August 17, 2007 |
| DVD release date: | February 25, 2008 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | language and drug content. |
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