Death at a Funeral
I once read that Alfred Hitchcock characterized the difference between American and British films thusly: a British film can open with a shot of the some clouds, followed by another shot of clouds, followed by a third shot of clouds; if an American film opens with a shot of clouds, the second shot must be of a plane, and if the third shot isn’t the plane exploding you’ve lost the audience.
I’ve found that to be generally true, and I don’t usually like British films that don’t star Keira Knightley. So understand that when I recommend Death at a Funeral, now available on DVD, I’m not doing so lightly.
The film was directed by Frank Oz — who was the voice of Yoda, and therefore totally freakin’ kick-ass — and stars a bunch of uptight British people, a dwarf, and Steve the Pirate. It goes without saying that Steve the Pirate steals the show, but I’ll say it anyway — he steals the show!
The story is about a family gathering together for the death of a loved one. The characters have complex and interesting relationships, and through the course of the day they come to terms with their feelings for each other, and decide what kind of future they want to make for each other. Oh, yeah, and this whole time Steve the Pirate is tripping balls. Seriously, he is tripping the heck out, which is, as you might surmise, absolutely hilarious.
Yeah, the stuff with the dwarf is really funny too, but seriously, it’s Steve the Pirate tripping balls. I mean, isn’t that all you really need in a film? The film’s plot is fine, but all we need is some setup where Steve the Pirate accidentally ingests a hallucinogenic substance and then proceeds to trip balls, and to that end screenwriter Dean Craig thankfully delivers, and in spades. How this film wasn’t nominated for, or win, every Oscar is beyond me. Clearly, Hollywood does not appreciate movies with Steve the Pirate tripping balls. For shame, Hollywood, for shame.
But seriously, it’s a hilarious movie with a bit of heart, and I can’t recommend this film more. Hell, this is the first movie I’ve ever pre-ordered, and I’m glad I did because I’ve already watched it twice since. It’s really great.
And did I mention Steve the Pirate is in it, and that he is, in fact, tripping balls? Just so we’re clear.
There have been 2 comments
Ok, done. I’m moving it up on my queue. I had heard good things, but had misgivings exactly because of its overt Britishness.
Steve the Pirate = Wash from Serenity = always a big selling point.
What can I say… he’s a leaf in the wind.
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