Death at a Funeral

I'm a lover of British films. Not all, of course - but even the poorer offerings often have flashes of typically British charm or quirkiness about them. In particular though, I do enjoy British comedies (and, closetly - "Rom-coms"!). I suppose I place my cinematic taste somewhere between the Business and Bridget Jones - or Football factory and Love Actually..

So, this week I watched Death at a Funeral - which I've been looking forward to for a while. In general, I really enjoyed it. The witty dialogue and acting performances made the film very laugh-out-loud funny. My only criticisms (and both, I suspect were implemented for 'wider appeal' rather than the writers actually believing in them) are the use of a midget/dwarf/little person (I'm ignorant of contemporary acceptable language here) as the butt of very easy gags and the repeated 'easy' jibes at this or that person being "a gay". Both elements sat quite uncomfortably with me and the film. An otherwise well-written comedy was cheapened, it felt, by craving mass appeal.

Perhaps I underestimate the British film-watching intellect and sense of humour. Or, perhaps, I envisage this film to be regaled for it's supposedly humourous mistreatment of a midget and the invitation of people to leave cinemas humourlessly quipping to one another that they are "a gay"*.

I've probably been a little too negative in my review. The film was, largely, very funny and IMDB's 7.5/10 is about right.


* Don't get me started on the drivel that is Little Britain.