Prior to watching the British 2007 version of “Death at a Funeral” for the first time, I was told that it was hilarious, but in a strange, darkly humorous kind of way. British films have a different sense of humor, I as was told. I can’t speak for all British films, but I found this “different” sense of humor hilarious. And after the first time I watched it, I ended up renting it about four more times over the course of the next couple of years. (Yes, I probably should have broken over and bought it already.)

When I found out that a new “Americanized” version was coming to theatres, I had mixed emotions.

In a way I was excited that the film did so well that they wanted to make a new one in America just three years later. But on the other hand, I wasn’t sure why. Oh right, money … that’s why.

The newly released “Death at a Funeral” is about a man named Aaron, played by Chris Rock, who has to organize his father’s funeral and offer the eulogy in his home. Simple, right? It’s simple enough until the undertakers bring in the wrong body, a container of acid pills are lost and mistaken as Valium, and one of the unrecognized guests blackmails Aaron with some very shocking news about his late father.

All Aaron wants to do is give his father the respectable funeral he deserves, but this task proves to be far more challenging than he ever could have imagined as the entire situation continues to unravel and become completely chaotic.

The movie does feature a dark side of humor, which is obvious since this whole mess takes place at a funeral, but that doesn’t stop it from having some lighter sides as well.

The light side of the humor depicts a family that is dysfunctional, which is something most people can relate to, at least to some degree.

The way that this humor is shown – from a nervous boyfriend Oscar, (played by James Marsden) who is trying to make a good impression yet shows up to the function high as a kite after having accidentally been given these acid pills, to the grumpy old Uncle Russell (played by Danny Glover) — is truly hilarious.

And the British version tells the exact same story, only with accents.

Even with the blatant copy of everything about the film, I still found everything about the film to be enjoyable – from the dark beginning all the way to the end, when all of the seemingly resolved problems get a little stirred up again. But to know how it ends, you’ll have to go see the film for yourself.

“Death at a Funeral” is now playing in theatres. (And if you like hearing a British accent, it’s available at your local video store, too.)

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