Dysfunctional families dealing with the loss of a member and uncovering their skeletons in the closet while burying the deceased isn't news on film. There's comedies about it, drama as well and the mix of both. "Eulogy" tries the latter resulting in something that is eternally confusing, loudly funny in its first minutes then the laughs are fading away the more its conclusion approaches. The patriarch (Rip Torn) has died and now his sons (Hank Azaria, Ray Romano and others), his suicidal wife (Piper Laurie) and other members of the family have a lot of things to do, including dealing with each other in the worst possible way since they can't bear one another. The only one with some decency is the granddaughter (Zooey Deschanel) chosen to deliver the eulogy on the grandfather's funeral, amazingly waited because later there'll be the reading of the old man's testament. Writer and director Michael Clancy's proposition is to deliver the highest amount of unbelievable yet sometimes hilarious situations ever presented on screen. Women's fight; the horny pre-adolescents sons of Azaria making fun of the family; fine, they're great provider of laughs but other "jokes" like the suicide attempts of the matriarch doesn't cause any effect on the viewer. And it's a pity that there isn't enough space to treat serious subject in a serious manner, just a little.Good film but a small, almost insignificant work for a great cast in average roles. Higher note than the one I'm giving is a mere exaggeration, it's not that brilliant. It's just fun at certain parts. 6/10

Upon the death of their father (Rip Torn), a family of oddballs comes together to remember a man they hardly knew. Trouble-making twins, a suicidal grandmother, a former porn star, unaccepted lesbians and the girl next door (Zooey Deschanel) make up part of the cast of characters... and the only thing you can expect from them is the unexpected.My friend Chelsea forced me at gunpoint to watch this film, which she swears is her favorite. That is such a lie -- her favorite is "Casper", and don't let her tell you otherwise. But this is a good film, so I'm not upset I had to see it. My biggest concern, in fact, was Ray Romano, who I normally dislike. He was a very enjoyable character in this film, being the father of the two little hellions.I think most families are dysfunctional in some sense. But unless yours is completely crazy, watching the people in this film will likely make you feel much better about those around you. My family is quite wonderful, personally, but this movie made me appreciate them even more.

When I first discovered Eulogy at a video store three or four years ago, it quickly became one of my favorite newer films. In fact, I would have sworn I had reviewed it here long ago.Michael Clancy, who must have a heck of a day job, showed potential to possibly be another Lasse Hallstrom, Wes Anderson or Jean-Pierre Jeunet in this little gem, then disappeared as quickly as he had come. Other than a highly touted short film in 1996, this has been Clancy's only film. This is a true pity. One aches to see whether or not he could have followed Hallstrom and Anderson's footsteps and made the transition from small indie success to studio success. He certainly seemed to have a deft hand in writing and directing Eulogy.Eulogy is a quirky little dark comedy in the Royal Tenenbaums, Amelie, Garden State, Gilbert Grape family. It combines some very subtle humor with some relatively course slapstick laughs. This, combined with the bizarre but lovable family, makes a satisfying whole.The lovely Zooey Deschanel is the solid glue that holds the frantic elements of the movie together, just as her character, Katie, performs the same duty for the dysfunctional family. She is actually the story's narrator and her attempt to carry out her late grandfather's wishes and pass on the news of his passing – and how this effort pans out – provides the basis of the story and an extra slice of irony.Without giving away the ending, let us just say that things just keep getting more bizarre as the story moves along. Edmund Collins (Rip Torn) has just died – apparently via suicide – and his estranged children Daniel (Hank Azaria), Lucy (Kelly Preston), Skip (Ray Ramano) and Alice (Debra Winger) return home to help their mother, Charlotte (Piper Laurie) tend to the arrangements.The reunion is memorable. Lesbianism, wise-guy kids, some romances, suicide attempts and a very bizarre funeral service are just a few of the events that will keep most viewers laughing. It is a dark comedy and not one for everyone. Generally speaking, most anyone who loved The Royal Tenenbaums, Garden State or Amalie will probably love Eulogy. Anyone who didn't get those films need not bother watching this one either.Laurie is very good as the depressed widow, while Azaria, Ramano, Winger and Preston are hilarious as the maladjusted siblings who have to come to terms with their late father's frequent absences during their childhoods. Jesse Bradford is solid as Katie's unlucky love interest, while Famke Janssen and Glenne Headly are great as Lucy's lesbian life partner and a helpful nurse respectively. Mark Harelik, Matthew Feder, Allisyn Ashley Arm and Jordan Moen are fun as Alice's silently suffering family, while Rene Auberjonois is tremendous in a brief appearance as a local clergyman. Brian Posehn makes a nice addition as the video store clerk. Real-life twins Curtis and Keith Garcia, meanwhile, nearly steal the show as wise-guy twins Ted and Fred.This is an enjoyable dark comedy with a little bit of everything, including a good soundtrack. I hope Clancy gives up his day job again soon and tries another movie. He definitely made this one a keeper.

Unlike Tom from Santa Monica (the other reviewer), I didn't read any newspaper reviews - I just sat through the first 45 minutes and couldn't take any more.The actor Ray Romano was irritating in the extreme and the storyline totally unbelievable and unfunny. For example, a girl puts on a video which is of her mother in a sex movie, the doorbell rings and she doesn't want to answer it because the visitor is an old boyfriend, so she hides without turning off the video. Guess what happens. Ridiculous.Example no. 2: a father is smoking a joint in his locked bedroom. His daughter knocks on the door and he tries to get rid of the smoke and upsets a flower pot on a bed. He then answers the door with the joint still in his mouth. So funny. Not. Truly an awful film.