THIS very British black comedy was panned by American critics, but lauded by most others, as is often the case with British comedy that makes it over the Atlantic.

Australian audiences, however, will understand it perfectly and most likely find it hilarious. It's a hysterical mix of corny, quirky and outlandishly silly antics, jokes and characters, all set during a funeral of an upstanding English gent.

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• Audio: Listen to Samantha Amjadainterview with Dean Craig,
  writer of Death at a Funeral

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But, it seems, the oh-so-proper father of two had a secret life -- and one of the guests, a leather-clad American dwarf, has pictures to prove it -- unless the family coughs up pound stg. 15,000 on the spot.
It is just a simple comedy that turns a typically grim scenario into a story filled with light and love and lots of laughter.
Director Frank Oz -- famous for his Muppets characters Miss Piggy and Fozzie Bear and his role as the voice of Yoda in Star Wars -- has cast the film beautifully and coaxed out some fabulously deadpan performances that extract giggle after giggle.
There aren't too many extras on the disc, merely a couple of audio commentaries with the director and the writer Dean Craig.
But there are plenty of bloopers, which are almost as funny as the goings-on in the main feature.

In short: An oh-so-proper English funeral turns into a farce.
The players: Matthew Macfadyen, Keeley Hawes, Andy Nyman, Daisy Donovan.
Ranking: 3.5/5

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