The Funeral

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The Funeral

R

Released Nov 1, 1996

1h 38m

Crime

Drama

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80%

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35 Reviews

68%

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2,500+ Ratings

At the funeral of murdered Johnny Tempio (Vincent Gallo), his brothers, Chez (Chris Penn) and Ray (Christopher Walken), begin plotting their revenge. Believing rival gangster Gaspare (Benicio del Toro) is responsible for Johnny's death, Chez and Ray set out to find and punish the thugs who killed him, despite the pleadings of their wives (Isabella Rossellini, Annabella Sciorra). As the two get to the bottom of the mystery, Ray must deal with an increasingly unstable Chez.

Critics Consensus

Abel Ferrara reunites with Christopher Walken to forge another haunting gangster saga, delivering a bruising exploration of vengeance.

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Emanuel Levy

Variety

Though directed in different style, thematically, this period movie is a companion piece to King of New York and The Bad Lieutenant, forming an urban crime trilogy and representing Ferrara's best work.

Rated: 3/4

Jul 4, 2006

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Nick Schager

Lessons of Darkness

A psychologically strung-out tale stuffed full of ideas and inspired moments.

Rated: B

May 29, 2006

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Time Out

A brilliant, very visceral piece of film-making with an infectious strain of morbid humour.

Jan 26, 2006

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Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

The Funeral is yet another fresh take on the gangster flick.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jun 20, 2008

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Rob Gonsalves

Rob's Movie Vault

Anticlimactic and unconvincing.

Rated: D

Apr 9, 2007

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Josh Ralske

All Movie Guide

Rated: 3/5

Aug 5, 2006

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jon c

Three brothers; one led, one died, one followed It's 1939 New York City and three siblings of a gangster family are at a loss They start plotting payback It's believed that rival gangster Gaspare (Benicio Del Toro) is responsible for Johnny's death, Chez and Ray set out to find and punish the thugs who killed him, despite the pleadings of their wives As the two get to the bottom of the mystery, Ray must deal with an increasingly unstable Chez Much of the story unfolds through flashbacks This is a bruising exploration of vengeance and the actors are spot-on with good performances But it's only for big gangster-film enthusiasts The ending is very morbid too

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Does anybody else think Benicio Del Toro could be Brad Pitt's evil brother?

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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delysid d

just awful from beginning to end. one of the worst ever, sorry!

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

06/16/21

Full Review

Audience Member

This film has an outstanding cast. Christopher Walken, Vincent Gallo, Chris Penn. Isabella Rossellini, Annabella Sciorra, Gretchen Mol, Benecio Del Toro, and an absolutely brilliant performance by the Late Chris Penn, who sadly never got his due respect. This guy could act!!! Definitely a must watch for any movie buff.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

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Audience Member

Chris Penn's acting is unforgettable in this film he should have won an academy award. Definitely Abel's best work.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

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Audience Member

Although it mostly feels like a minor crime film, featuring familiar themes and less than great direction, "The Funeral" has certain engaging moments and eventually takes a notable turn towards the dark that sets it apart from similar movies. The cast, which includes Christopher Walken and Benicio Del Toro, is pretty good, with Chris Penn standing out in a very powerful performance.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

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Abel Ferrara

Director

Christopher Walken

Ray

Chris Penn

Chez

Vincent Gallo

Johnny

Benicio del Toro

Gaspare

Annabella Sciorra

Jean

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Synopsis

At the funeral of murdered Johnny Tempio (Vincent Gallo), his brothers, Chez (Chris Penn) and Ray (Christopher Walken), begin plotting their revenge. Believing rival gangster Gaspare (Benicio del Toro) is responsible for Johnny's death, Chez and Ray set out to find and punish the thugs who killed him, despite the pleadings of their wives (Isabella Rossellini, Annabella Sciorra). As the two get to the bottom of the mystery, Ray must deal with an increasingly unstable Chez.

Director: Abel Ferrara
Producer: Mary Kane
Screenwriter: Nicholas St. John
Distributor: October Films
Production Co: October Films, MDP Worldwide
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 1, 1996, Original
Release Date (DVD): Aug 7, 2007
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.2M
Runtime: 1h 38m
Sound Mix: Surround