An oddball and dark (but not black) comedy about a neurotic, narcissistic hypochondriac named Scott who seems bent on missing the funeral of one of his best friends (who has died from cancer) because poor Scott has just found what appears to be a lump on one of his testicles, as well as maybe a melanoma on his shoulder,
FUNERAL DAY results in quite a few good laughs. As directed by and starring
Jon Weinberg (shown at left, center, and below), this enjoyable little romp is a kind of road trip around Los Angeles as our nut-case hero fends off old friends trying to get him to that funeral and instead makes some new ones who have some very interesting ideas and suggestions for him.
Mr. Weinberg manages to direct competently enough and to perform the leading role in such as way that he makes Scott somehow bearable, as well as funny, so that his journey -- mostly on foot and running around town since has does not have a car-- pulls us into the film and keeps us pretty much glued.
The movie's fine ensemble cast adds a lot to the fun, as well, with
Tyler Labine (above, left), as the friend who has the perfect solution to our hero's nut problem, and
Dominic Rains (below, right), as another would-be friend who is more than ready to involve his pal in a less-than-upfront real estate transaction.
The screenplay, by
Kris Elgstrand, races along nicely and also features some racy, funny dialog and situations -- the most bizarre of which involves a couple of doctors Scott meets in the park (
Kristin Carey (below, center) and
Jed Rees (below, left, and at bottom) who simply can't wait to take our hero home and "milk" his prostate. Ah, the meeting of modern medicine and modern romance!
As it rambles humorously along, the movie also sends up everything from materialism to creativity, friendship and much else. By the time Scott visits a sexy waitress (
Sarah Adina) sporting a very nice tattoo, and then tries to break into a local hospice, you'll either be having a fine old time (as was I) or maybe have given up on this oddball movie.
I'd say stick with it and have yourself some good laughs and silly fun, even as you're treated to a raft of nice performances -- including those of
Suzy Nakamura (above) and
Tygh Runyan -- as little Scott is eventually made to realize that, yes, he really
should grow up a bit and schedule that necessary MD appointment.
From
Random Media and running a zippy 79 minutes, the movie hit DVD, digital and VOD last week -- for purchase and/or rental.
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