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Eulogy is a 2004 film that presents a quirky, yet relatable family drama that explores the relationships and tensions within a dysfunctional family. It mainly follows the story of the Collins family and their members' interactions with one another during their patriarch's funeral. The patriarch is Edmund Collins (Rip Torn), a man who lived a full life and left behind a lot of memories for his family to cherish. His five children gather in his old mansion in Sonoma, California, to pay their respects, reminisce, and deliver eulogies. The lineup of the cast shows the importance of the event, with a star-studded ensemble that includes Ray Romano, Jesse Bradford, Hank Azaria, Zooey Deschanel, Debra Winger, and Piper Laurie.

Kate Collins (Zooey Deschanel) is the youngest of the siblings and the film's main protagonist who represents the audience's perspective on the family's intricacies. She is the odd one out of the family and tries to understand the events happening around her. Alice Collins (Debra Winger), the eldest sister, is a perfectionist who takes pride in her marriage to her husband, played by Kelly Preston. Skip Collins (Ray Romano), is the classic black sheep of the family, coming home only because he's required to following his father's death. Lucy Collins (Kelly Preston) is Alice's younger sister, portrayed as the most conventional of the siblings.

Hank Azaria plays Daniel Collins, the most intriguing character in the film. He is Edmund's son from his second marriage and is both irreverent and fascinating. His character adds an edge to the film with his brazen nature and quirky sense of humor. Jesse Bradford plays Ryan, Kate's boyfriend, who accompanies her to the funeral and becomes a witness to the family's idiosyncrasies.

As the family gathers in the mansion, their suppressed emotions start to surface, and secrets begin to unravel. Love triangles are formed, grudges are held on to, and family tensions begin to rise. Highlights include the distribution of their father's ashes, that had been divided between his ex-wife and his current family, as well as the family tree that gets passed around with crudely drawn representations of each family member.

As each sibling delivers their eulogy, the family's dark secrets are revealed in a humorous and poignant way. The eulogies give the audience insights into the characters' deep-set fears, regrets, and past decisions. The film's comedic moments successfully juxtapose with its serious and somber themes throughout the proceedings, making it a dramedy that is both endearing and emotional.

The family's dynamic is intriguing and relatable, which contributes to what makes this film enjoyable. The film deals with themes of loss, grief, and family, in a way that is both realistic and heartwarming. It's refreshing to see a film that doesn't shy away from the topic of death, and instead approaches it as a part of life's natural progression.

In conclusion, Eulogy (2004) is a well-acted, dark comedy that explores family dynamics with humor and sensitivity, making it an enjoyable watch for anyone who wants to see a good balance of comedy and drama. It's a must-watch for those who can relate to the complexity of family relationships and want to be entertained, while simultaneously reflecting on life's big questions. The film is a worthwhile effort that brings laughter and tears while touching on real issues regarding death and relationships, making it a movie that has the potential to stay with the viewer even after the credits roll.

Eulogy is a 2004 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 34.