| The American remake of the 2007 madcap British farce features a predominantly African-American cast of all-star comedians. With the original script written by Dean Craig intact, the most drastic alteration is moving the setting from a British country estate to a large house in Pasadena, Calif.
This explosive slapstick comedy powder keg has the audacity to spit death in the eye and put a hopeful twist on the uncertainties of life.
The dignified send-off of a family patriarch slowly disintegrates into chaos and confusion. Things spin wildly out of control as secrets are revealed. These memorable characters leave an indelible impression.
The dearly departed Edward is survived by his wife, Cynthia (Loretta Devine from “This Christmas” and “Boston Public”), and two sons, Aaron (Chris Rock from “The Longest Yard” and “Head of State”) and Ryan (Martin Lawrence from “Big Momma’s House” and “Bad Boys”).
Mild-mannered and dutiful tax accountant Aaron is responsible for planning the funeral and delivering the eulogy. His younger brother is a self-centered, successful novelist now residing in Manhattan.
Other oddball relatives include cantankerous, wheelchair-bound Uncle Russell (Danny Glover from “2012” and “Dreamgirls”), drug dealer cousin Jeff (KC native Columbus Short from “Cadillac Records”), cousin Elaine (Zoe Saldana from “Avatar” and “Star Trek”) and her timid fiancé Oscar (James Marsden from “Enchanted,” “Hairspray” and the “X-Men” movies), who is trying to make a good impression on his future physician father-in-law (Ron Glass). Dwarf Peter Dinklage reprises his role as an uninvited mysterious stranger with a shocking secret about dear old dad.
Close friends of the family include hypochondriac Norman (Tracy Morgan from “30 Rock” and “Saturday Night Live”) and Elaine’s ex-boyfriend Derek (Luke Wilson from “The Family Stone”).
This crowd-pleaser is full of hilarious, unexpected surprises and moves at a rapid clip. The reels unspool like a wacky crash course on the many variations of Murphy’s Law. This hysterical movie is directed by KU graduate Neil LaBute (“The Shape of Things,” “Nurse Betty” and “In the Company of Men”).
The movie begins with the hearse delivering a coffin containing the corpse of an Asian man. Aaron exclaims to the undertaker “Who is this?”
Marsden stands out with a host of physical sight gags after he mistakenly ingests a hallucinogenic drug from a prescription bottle marked Valium to combat nervousness. Morgan is the butt of every joke, serving as Russell’s chauffeur and helping to undress him on the toilet. The witty dialogue has everyone making inappropriate remarks and taking turns putting a foot in their mouth. Reverend Davis (Keith David) even gets into the hijinks when he works under a time constraint due to another pressing engagement after the ceremony is delayed.
You won’t want to miss this funny movie that entertains and bestows the gift of laughter over the course of its 90-minute running time.
Review By:
Keith Cohen "The Movie Guy"
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