The Funeral

Watch The Funeral

"One family, one murder, too many lies."
  • R
  • 1996
  • 1 hr 39 min
  • 6.6  (9,342)

The Funeral is a 1996 crime drama film directed by Abel Ferrara and starring Christopher Walken, Chris Penn, and Annabella Sciorra. The movie tells the story of three brothers who live in New York City in the late 1930s. The film is set during a period of intense gang violence, and the brothers are heavily involved in organized crime.

The youngest of the brothers, Johnny (played by Vincent Gallo), is shot and killed in what appears to be a mob hit. The film follows the three surviving brothers as they mourn Johnny's death and try to come to grips with their own mortality.

Christopher Walken plays one of the brothers, Ray, a high-ranking mobster who is grieving his brother's death but is also consumed by his own power struggles within the criminal underworld. Chris Penn plays the other brother, Chez, a former boxer who is struggling to find his place in the world after retiring from the ring. Annabella Sciorra plays Jean, Chez's wife who is supportive of her husband but also concerned about his involvement with the mob.

The film is notable for its gritty, realistic depiction of the criminal underworld. The Funeral portrays the mob as a violent, dangerous world where loyalty is everything and betrayal can lead to death. The film also explores themes of family, grief, and what it means to be a man in a world where violence is a way of life.

One of the film's strengths is its strong performances from the cast. Christopher Walken delivers a powerful performance as Ray, a complex character torn between his loyalty to his family and his own ambition. Chris Penn's Chez is a sympathetic character, struggling to find his place in the world after his boxing career is over. Annabella Sciorra brings a quiet strength to her role as Jean, a woman who loves her husband but is also aware of the danger he is in.

The Funeral also boasts a strong visual style. The film is shot in a bleak, stark black and white that adds to the film's gritty, realistic feel. The film's cinematography is also notable for its use of extreme close-ups, which give the film a sense of claustrophobia and tension.

While The Funeral is a well-made film with strong performances and an intriguing story, it may not appeal to all audiences. The film's violence and language are intense and may be off-putting to some viewers. However, for those who enjoy crime dramas and are interested in a realistic portrayal of the criminal underworld, The Funeral is definitely worth watching.

The Funeral
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Description
  • Release Date
    1996
  • MPAA Rating
    R
  • Runtime
    1 hr 39 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.6  (9,342)