Watch A Texas Funeral

A Texas Funeral is a dark comedy film from 1999, directed by William Blake Herron with an all-star cast of Quinton Jones, Robert Patrick, and Jane Adams. The movie revolves around the death of an eccentric wealthy man named Vito Fortunato, played by Martin Sheen, and the aftermath of his passing on his dysfunctional family. Vito's children are an eclectic bunch, including Blair (Jones), a failed writer, Maureen (Adams), a seething artist, and Skipper (Patrick), the black sheep of the family who's been locked up in a mental institution for killing his stepfather. Their family troubles are multiplied when Vito's will is revealed.

Blair, Maureen, and Skipper, along with their significant others, gather together in Vito's mansion to listen to his will. His final wish is that his ashes be scattered on the ranch that the Fortunato family owns. However, there is more to the will than meets the eye. Vito gives each of his three children a task to complete in order to receive their inheritance. Blair must marry his girlfriend, Maureen must commit a creative act that is pure in nature, and Skipper must be released from the mental institution before Vito's ashes are scattered.

The film takes a darkly humorous turn as the Fortunato family attempts to fulfill Vito's demands. Blair's girlfriend is not interested in marriage, which leads Blair to desperate measures to convince her to marry him. Maureen's creative act is questionable at best, and Skipper's release from the institution proves to be a challenge as his doctor is reluctant to let him go.

As the Fortunato family attempts to fulfill Vito's demands, tensions between them continue to rise. We get intimate glimpses into the personal struggles each of them have faced over the years, and how their relationships have been affected as a result. This, combined with Vito's bizarre final wishes, makes for a chaotic and entertaining story that is full of twists and turns.

The film has a unique visual style that perfectly captures the absurdity of the story. The cinematographer, John Thomas, uses a washed-out palette to create a surreal and dream-like quality to the visuals. This, combined with the quirky characters and dark humor, gives A Texas Funeral a distinct and memorable aesthetic.

In addition to the three main actors, the film features a strong supporting cast, including Max Perlich, Chris Noth, and Grace Zabriskie. Their performances help to bring the world of A Texas Funeral to life and make the characters feel authentic and grounded, despite the film's absurdist tone.

Overall, A Texas Funeral is a darkly humorous film that is full of surprises. The film's unique style and strong performances make it a must-watch for fans of dark comedy and offbeat cinema.

A Texas Funeral is a 1999 drama with a runtime of 98 hours. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.