Review of The Funeral (1996) by Roger T — 02 Feb 2011

Abel Ferrara does not make comedies or really anything even remotely warm. It is all cold and on edge. In The Funeral, he brings three brother's story to life in a gangster family picture. Christopher Walken, Chris Penn, and Vincent Gallo all bring their characters to life within the dark setting.

One brother has been killed and the rest of the family is showing up for the funeral. This sets the stage for retracing the brother's beginning and telling us what happened to them in life. The early images we see of Walken's first shooting are heavy.

This scene with his brothers and father hit me hard. He carried that event, as well as the souvenir from it, for the rest of his life. It is so unsettling and yet so unforgettable. Walken carries this weight with impeccable posture and creates much interest in his next move every time he is on screen.

Penn shows some of his best abilities in his role too. From singing to soul searching, he is a bold presence in this film and usually keeps the heart rate of the story up. What Ferrara does with these characters (and with great cinematography) is present a portrait of sophisticated madness.

It is as black as night and yet so elegant in many ways. The Funeral is a grim look at one family tree and how they cope with life and loss. It is paralyzing to watch this film in its entirety but I think I'd like to wade through the depressing waters and see it again.

There is so much taking place that I don't think I could have possibly seized all it has to offer with just one viewing. (B).