DeniReview: Death At A Funeral (2010)
April 22nd 2010 02:38
Category: Comedy
Rating: **** out of 5 stars
When I heard that Chris Rock was producing and starring in a remake of the British hit "Death At A Funeral", released in 2007, I immediately rented it to see what Mr. Rock was up against. The answer: A brick wall!
Is it wise to remake something that is almost close to perfection? Depends.
Now, there are those who are automatically biased in favor of the original and they have every right to be! I only ask that you give this version its props as well. It's not a competition. Yes, the original is awesome but I can understand why this was one was made - it's not to outdo or outshine the original but simply to give it a different flavor. This is a universal gem of a story that could be remade in any culture and find hilarity with the right characters. Nothing wrong with that - after all imitation is the best form of flattery.
So, here is what we have: Same plot, same story, different humor and it works like a charm! Whereas the Brits own the art of reserved humor, American tend to lay everything out in the open and the results are the same.
For those of you who don't know the story, it takes place on the day of the funeral of Aaron and Ryan's (Chris Rock and Martin Lawrence) father. While Aaron mourns his father's passing, he is under pressure because he and his wife, Michelle (Regina Hall), are trying to save up and move into their own home to start a family. Michelle feels the "tick-tock of he bio clock" and there is the constant and nagging reminder from his mother, Cynthia (Loretta Divine), who takes every opportunity to remind them that she has no grandchildren. It's on!
His brother Ryan arrives from New York and his presence doesn't help ease Aaron's mind. Aaron secretly envies his brother's successful writing career and he's also angry because Ryan spent a great deal of money on first class airfare and doesn't seem to want to help Aaron with the funeral expenses.
Other family members arrive with their own quirks and troubles like Elaine (Zoe Saldana) who accidentally gives her boyfriend Oscar (James Marsden) a hallucinogenic drug she thought was Valium - not a great time for him to freak out at the funeral when he's already on thin ice with her father. And there is Norman (Tracy Morgan) who reluctantly takes charge of the cantankerous and abusive Uncle Russell (Danny Glover) - there is a funny potty scene with these two. I usually find that "doo doo gags" are best left in Elementary/Primary school but this one had me in tears.
The moment that Frank (Peter Dinklage) arrives claiming to be the lover of Aaron and Ryan's father and threatens blackmail by exposing the truth, the madness and mayhem ensues and it all works.
James Marsden is one of the most underrated and underused actors out there. Someone please make this man a star. He deserves it! His "trips" were the stuff of legends and he turned on his performance and charm with amazing gusto.
I became a fan of Peter Dinklage when I saw "The Station Agent". He reprises his role as Frank from the original and he's just as funny and clever as before.
It's really nice to see both Rock and Lawrence give contained performances as the straight-men and let everyone else cut loose. Honorable mentions go to Luke Wilson and especially Columbus Short.
For me, there was actually no comparison to the original - I didn't even think of the original, I took this one as it is and I had a good time.
When I heard that Chris Rock was producing and starring in a remake of the British hit "Death At A Funeral", released in 2007, I immediately rented it to see what Mr. Rock was up against. The answer: A brick wall!
Is it wise to remake something that is almost close to perfection? Depends.
Now, there are those who are automatically biased in favor of the original and they have every right to be! I only ask that you give this version its props as well. It's not a competition. Yes, the original is awesome but I can understand why this was one was made - it's not to outdo or outshine the original but simply to give it a different flavor. This is a universal gem of a story that could be remade in any culture and find hilarity with the right characters. Nothing wrong with that - after all imitation is the best form of flattery.
So, here is what we have: Same plot, same story, different humor and it works like a charm! Whereas the Brits own the art of reserved humor, American tend to lay everything out in the open and the results are the same.
For those of you who don't know the story, it takes place on the day of the funeral of Aaron and Ryan's (Chris Rock and Martin Lawrence) father. While Aaron mourns his father's passing, he is under pressure because he and his wife, Michelle (Regina Hall), are trying to save up and move into their own home to start a family. Michelle feels the "tick-tock of he bio clock" and there is the constant and nagging reminder from his mother, Cynthia (Loretta Divine), who takes every opportunity to remind them that she has no grandchildren. It's on!
His brother Ryan arrives from New York and his presence doesn't help ease Aaron's mind. Aaron secretly envies his brother's successful writing career and he's also angry because Ryan spent a great deal of money on first class airfare and doesn't seem to want to help Aaron with the funeral expenses.
Other family members arrive with their own quirks and troubles like Elaine (Zoe Saldana) who accidentally gives her boyfriend Oscar (James Marsden) a hallucinogenic drug she thought was Valium - not a great time for him to freak out at the funeral when he's already on thin ice with her father. And there is Norman (Tracy Morgan) who reluctantly takes charge of the cantankerous and abusive Uncle Russell (Danny Glover) - there is a funny potty scene with these two. I usually find that "doo doo gags" are best left in Elementary/Primary school but this one had me in tears.
The moment that Frank (Peter Dinklage) arrives claiming to be the lover of Aaron and Ryan's father and threatens blackmail by exposing the truth, the madness and mayhem ensues and it all works.
James Marsden is one of the most underrated and underused actors out there. Someone please make this man a star. He deserves it! His "trips" were the stuff of legends and he turned on his performance and charm with amazing gusto.
I became a fan of Peter Dinklage when I saw "The Station Agent". He reprises his role as Frank from the original and he's just as funny and clever as before.
It's really nice to see both Rock and Lawrence give contained performances as the straight-men and let everyone else cut loose. Honorable mentions go to Luke Wilson and especially Columbus Short.
For me, there was actually no comparison to the original - I didn't even think of the original, I took this one as it is and I had a good time.
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