The Funeral Movie: A Review

The Funeral is a 1996 crime drama written and directed by Abel Ferrara. It stars Christopher Walken, Chris Penn, Annabella Sciorra, Isabella Rossellini, Benicio Del Toro, and Vincent Gallo. The film follows the story of a young man, Johnny (Walken), who returns home for his father’s funeral and finds himself in the middle of a war between two of his family’s oldest enemies. It is a dark, violent, and often intense film that explores themes of family, loyalty, and revenge.

The film opens with Johnny’s return home for the funeral of his father. He soon learns that his father’s death is more complex than it appears and that he is now caught in the middle of a long-standing feud between two powerful families. Johnny soon finds himself embroiled in a war between his father’s old friend and the head of the rival family. As Johnny navigates his way through the two families, he discovers secrets and truths about his father’s death, his family’s past, and the nature of loyalty.

The Funeral is a powerful and often poignant film. It is beautifully shot and features great performances from its cast. Christopher Walken is particularly effective as Johnny, playing him with a vulnerability and intensity that perfectly captures the character’s inner conflict. Chris Penn and Annabella Sciorra are also excellent as the heads of the two families, their performances adding a real sense of tension and complexity to the story. Other notable performances include Benicio Del Toro, Isabella Rossellini, and Vincent Gallo.

The Funeral is a great example of Abel Ferrara’s work. Ferrara’s use of violence and darkness is effective in portraying the themes of the story, while his direction keeps the tension high throughout. The soundtrack is also excellent, featuring a mix of classical and modern music that perfectly captures the mood of the film. The Funeral is a great example of Ferrara’s talent as a filmmaker and is certainly worth a watch.

Themes of The Funeral

The Funeral is a movie about family, loyalty, and revenge. The film focuses on Johnny’s struggle to come to terms with his father’s death and his role in the conflict between the two families. The film explores the themes of loyalty, duty, and revenge, as Johnny is forced to choose between his loyalty to his family and his desire for revenge. It also explores the themes of guilt and redemption, as Johnny is forced to confront his past and the secrets he has kept throughout his life.

The film also examines the themes of identity and legacy, as Johnny must decide who he truly is and what legacy he will leave behind. The themes of family and loyalty are also explored, as Johnny discovers the true meaning of family and how far he is willing to go to protect his loved ones. The film also touches upon the themes of justice, as Johnny must decide how he will bring justice to those responsible for his father’s death.

Conclusion

The Funeral is a powerful and often poignant film that explores themes of family, loyalty, and revenge. The film is beautifully shot and features excellent performances from its cast. Abel Ferrara’s direction is powerful and effective, while the soundtrack perfectly captures the mood of the film. The Funeral is certainly worth a watch and is a great example of Ferrara’s talent as a filmmaker.

Conclusion

The Funeral is an excellent crime drama that effectively explores themes of family, loyalty, and revenge. It is a dark, intense, and often poignant film that is beautifully shot and features great performances from its cast. Abel Ferrara’s direction is powerful, while the soundtrack perfectly captures the mood of the film. The Funeral is certainly worth a watch and is a great example of Ferrara’s talent as a filmmaker.