The Funeral

There is one word I can use to sum up this film: weird. It's one of those films that, even though you're thinking it's really quite slow and boring, you can't actually get up and walk out of it because it is nevertheless still gripping. Not a film I would particularly recommend for anyone to spend their hard earned cash on, but not as bad as some reviews have made out. It would probably be better watching it in the comfort of your own home.

I recently watched Final Cut on video. I thought that some of the camera work was very clever and, to me, original. I was very intrigued by the premise of somebody making a film by manipulating friends as well as recording them on a candid camera. However I was hugely disappointed. The idea of letting the actor's improvise is very good, if the director/writer are able to distill that into a sharp image for the audience. I felt that that was where Final Cut falls down heavily. Ray Winstone was forced? /allowed? to dominate the film in a way which ended up as being very unbalanced.On the other hand it appeared that others were left to flounder and turn in some very hackneyed work. Some scenes worked while a large number were, for me completely irrelevant. In a number of areas my impression was that a very good and interesting premise was ruined by a lack of discipline on the part of those behind the fim.

I watched the DVD last evening and found myself for the first time on hundreds of films fast-forwarding through most of it.

How in heavens' name can it be said that these were secretly taped scenes when half the time the subject is making google-eyes at the camera like some 12 year old?

I really think I may have seen better home videos of kids' birthday parties (surely more genuine). (Or was the 'tinkling' in the bathroom supposed to be some kind of 'high spot?')

It's a simple idea, get some actors together and improvise a film. Get them to use their real names, give them basic outlines of what to do and involve a camera crew in the story line and you've got yourself covered.

Does it work? Hell yes. This is something else. The acting is simply stunning all round, but Ray Winstone does stand out - when doesn't he?

A very simple story, Jude has been secretly videotaping his friends and at his funeral they get to see themselves on TV. Their reactions complete Jude's final film.

The interaction of the characters is very well played. It's believable, sad, funny, intense and fascinating.

I can't recommend this film any higher, except that there's a lot of swearing - it's supposed to have the highest amount of swearwords submitted to the BBFC - mainly courtesy of Mr Winstone in one very memorable scene (some of the couplings I've never heard before, yet they seem so natural streaming from Ray Winstone's mouth)

I was so so disappointed although I should really have known that when critics have a unanimously low opinion of a film that it is usually warranted. I mistakenly decided to give this film a chance though staying up way past my bed time to watch it it so was not worth my time. this is because from start to finish this is the film equivalent of the words pretencious, self indulgent and nauseating. Worst of all I really am quite a big Jude Law fan and most of the other actors on screen are talented elsewhere like Ray Winstone and throughout I was left to ponder where they lost their way. Basically the plot such as there is one is that Jude Law has died and left his 'friends' a tape which documents their misdeeds and that is really the plot line - cue lots of unpleasant over the top shouting and swearing - paticularly Winstone(and don't get me wrong I'm a big fan of swearing in film when necessary but to my recall he doesn't stop.) as they grow angry at what Jude has done. It is bad, and for people to try to justify the negative opinions I am not alone in putting forth by saying that the only reason we have them is because this is a hard film to watch or because it's subject matter is disturbing is rubbish, The film just isn't good full stop. No acting that warrants merit is displayed no human emotions are shared or elaborated on no interesting issues are explored this merely is unpleasantness for no reason whatsoever! I mean I personally found Gary Oldman's Nil By Mouth very hard going and disturbing to watch but still have a good opinion of it as a film! Basically anyone who may at any point in the future be in the position to see this don't bother! this is one film where believing the hype is wise because all I recall about this film is a total lack of anything that justified it being made.