Death at a Funeral (DVD, 2009, Dual Side)

Written by Dean Craig and directed by comedic veteran Frank Oz, DEATH AT A FUNERAL finds a well-to-do British family attempting to bury their patriarch amidst a backdrop of secrets, revelations, rivalries, and illicit pharmaceuticals. While the dutiful Daniel (Matthew MacFadyen) stoically contends with major roadblocks in planning his father's funeral, including being presented with the wrong body, others connected with the family have catastrophes of their own, including the anxious Simon (Alan Tudyk), who is engaged to Martha (Daisy Donovan), and mistakenly takes a hallucinogen to calm his nerves. Lurking in the background is a mysterious stranger (Peter Dinklage) who threatens to send the chaotic proceedings over the brink.A charming mix of high- and lowbrow humor, DEATH AT A FUNERAL is a lively farce that makes the most of its hijinks-filled script and topnotch cast. In addition to excellent performances by MacFadyen (PRIDE & PREJUDICE) and Tudyk (SERENITY), the film features fine turns by Donovan, Andy Nyman, and former Swinging London sweetheart Jane Asher. Easily Oz's best movie since the giddily silly BOWFINGER, DEATH showcases the director's knack for working with large ensembles, and will appeal to fans of his earlier romp IN & OUT, as well as to aficionados of biting British comedy.