Eulogy (2004)

hyped garbage

Your blood may run cold, but you now find yourself pinioned to the story.

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

This is a dark and sometimes deeply uncomfortable drama

This film was written by somebody who understands what it's like to try to be noticed (appreciated) when bigger acts are constantly outshining you: it's the theme that pops up repeatedly with each character. So if I could tell the writers something directly, it would be: "Relax. And stop trying So Hard, and quit being So Obvious about it. You've got what it takes already. Then maybe one day you can actually succeed, and they will all Really Like You." Eulogy, as an ensemble cast in the tradition of The Big Chill, will be a familiar format to most: a death in the family (the father in this case)forces all the grown children, and the grandchildren, to reunite for the funeral. It's an uncomfortable family gathering to say the least, because, in true Hollywood tradition, there are plenty of secrets and resentments to be revealed as they plan the final arrangements and "comfort" their inexplicably suicidal mother. In a family where everybody's a frustrated diva, the stage is set for plenty of hysterics and dramatics.This film wants to be the quirky Big Chill of its generation, and it partially succeeds. The cast (good, underused talent for the most part, including Piper Laurie as the widowed matriarch and Hank Azaria as a struggling has-been-turned-porn-star son)is certainly up to the task, but the writing paces unevenly between staple comedy clichés and shock value moments. Oh look, the grownup sisters are settling their long-held grudges with a jiujitsu catfight on the dining room rug! Ew, the 12 year old twin nephews are making lewd comments along with Ray Romano, their dad! You get the gist. There are some LOL moments and some chuckles sprinkled sporadically throughout a script that is desperately trying to jam-pack the humor into every crevice.Throughout the never ending and embarrassing family hijinks and trips to the hospital, we have Kate Collins, our heroine, dealing with her own side plot drama. She has a childhood bestie whom she eventually developed feelings for as they became teenagers, but it ended after the first kiss when for unexplained reasons, she broke it off and basically fled. Ryan still lives in town, and now that Kate has resurfaced for the funeral, he sees his chance to win her back. Played by indie-favorite Zooey Deschanel (in her usual, reliably quirky, cute-girl persona), Kate is the least "drama-queen" of the bunch; you have to wonder if she's the changeling in this family.So by the end, I had enjoyed Eulogy for its sometimes-witty dialog and formulaic feel-good moments. There is quite a lot of heart behind all of the bluster. It was a pleasant way to pass an evening, all things considered.

Watched this because of good cast - with such a good cast how could you go wrong? What a disappointment.It is so unfunny. Didn't laugh once throughout the movie. The dialog and situations were painful and strained. I don't know how anyone could write such bad lines one after another.The characters are gloomy and unpleasant.The romance between Zoey and Bradford is nothing.The surprise Debra Winger relationship leads to nothing and just seems silly.Everyone seemed ill at ease. A terrible story.What a waste of a good cast. Don't bother at all.

My sister recommended this flick. "Just like us," she promised. Well, not really, but the Collins' gathering for their father/grandfather's funeral does put the "fun" in dysFUNctional family.I love dysfunctional family flicks. There is always someone to recognize and you always come away feeling that at least your own family isn't that bad.With Eulogy you come away with that, and so much more. There are "stop the DVD" moments throughout that demand an immediate replay. I don't think I'll ever be able to hear "Papa Was A Rolling Stone" again quite the same way. And the twins? The twins steal almost every seen they are in.I have no idea why the paid critics trashed this movie -- maybe the director didn't slip them enough perks. But ignore them. This is yet another great small movie, with a wonderful ensemble cast, that you'll love, the critics opinions notwithstanding. I swear, you just can't trust the mercenary reviewers anymore.While the butt-headed critics tried to bury Eulogy, it is clear from these postings on IMDb that the only critics whose opinions matter, the movie-goers, are delivering a much kinder and truer eulogy for this fine flick.

This movie manages to put across a strong point without all the usual soppy stuff. There are some of your expected twists. But not once did i find myself thinking "well i have seen this before...". Because there really is no time for that. The movie will have you guessing all the way through, "what is this all leading too?".The story moves fast and you have to be very awake to keep up with what happens. There are many little clever quirks and remarks that you will need to pay attention too. It helps add to the meat of the movie.The characters are portrayed excellently by the cast. From the young to the old. The casting is excellent. This is a good movie for those who think they have family issues...