Watch Passed Away

Passed Away is a comedy-drama film released in 1992, directed and written by Charlie Peters. The movie features a remarkable cast, including Bob Hoskins, Jack Warden, William Petersen, and others. The story follows the internal dynamics of the Scanlan family, who gather for the funeral of their father, Jack Scanlan. The eccentric family members come together to grieve their loss, celebrate the memories of their loved one, and deal with their personal conflicts.

Bob Hoskins plays the role of Johnny Scanlan, the eldest son who takes the responsibility of managing the family business. He tries to keep everybody in line, but his efforts fall short due to his unpredictable siblings. Jack Warden portrays the character of Liam Scanlan, the patriarch of the family who's passing, helps bring the family together even posthumously.

William Petersen portrays the role of Frank Scanlan, the black sheep of the family, who hasn't attended any family gathering for years. His appearance at the funeral ceremony sparks a lot of tension within the family, and he brings his secretive life to the fore eventually.

The remaining cast of the movie is well cast and memorable, including Blair Brown as Nancy Scanlan, the eldest daughter of the family, and Pamela Reed as her younger sister, Sheila.

As the movie progresses, the plot takes erratic turns, ranging from the unexpected revelation of secrets to the joyous moments of recollection infused with laughter and tears. The story builds up to the point of chaos when Frank reveals that he has a daughter and the family members scurry around to confirm the truth.

Through a series of well-crafted scenes, the movie perfectly captures the various emotions associated with a significant event such as a funeral. It takes the viewer from mourning to joyous laughter and everything in between. The characters are well developed, and the chemistry between them is palpable.

The director, Charlie Peters, portrays the Scanlan family as relatable, unaffected by the glamour associated with the Hollywood family representation. He captures the essence of family values, love, and loyalty while keeping the tone light with humor sprinkled throughout the storyline.

The cinematography is another aspect of the movie that deserves appreciation. The camera work leverages the setting of the film which is the 1990s, but with a touch of nostalgia for the 1980s. The film captures nuances of the environment, clothing, and even music, that over time have become hallmarks of that era.

The music director, James Newton Howard, has done an excellent job on the background score of the film. The score complements the storyline adding to the somber notes and the lighthearted ones, providing an extra layer of depth.

In conclusion, Passed Away is an exceptional film that has not received the attention it deserves. It is a movie that captures the range of emotions and dynamics that come with a family gathering, especially one with the loss of a family member. The narrative, direction, cast, and music are all blended seamlessly to create an enjoyable and fitting tribute to the characters in the Scanlan family. If you're looking for a film that is thought-provoking, dramatic, while being humorous and relatable, Passed Away is a must-watch.

Passed Away is a 1992 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 36 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.