Watch The Funeral

The Funeral is a Japanese black comedy from 1984 directed by Juzo Itami. The movie stars Tsutomu Yamazaki, Nobuko Miyamoto, and Kin Sugai in prominent roles. The Funeral film was released in Japan on February 4, 1984. Set in Osaka in the 1980s, the movie revolves around the Yokoyama family, who is preparing for the funeral of the family patriarch. The deceased was a wealthy businessman who made his fortune from the pornographic industry. Even though he was disliked by most of his family members, the patriarch's death unleashes a series of comic and tragic events that reveal the dysfunctional relationships and repressed emotions among the family members.

At the center of the story is the youngest son, Ryuichi Yokoyama (played by Yoshio Harada), who is a failed actor and now works in a bar. Ryuichi is the black sheep of the family and has been estranged from them for years. However, he is brought back into the fold to help with the funeral arrangements. As the preparations continue, tensions and grudges between the family members escalate, and their true feelings and motives are slowly revealed.

The eldest son, the successful businessman Junichi (played by Tsutomu Yamazaki), is mostly concerned about the cost of the funeral and wants to keep it low-key. Meanwhile, the middle sister, Aunt Tamako (played by Nobuko Miyamoto), is bitter and resentful towards her deceased brother for never sharing his wealth with her. These internal conflicts lead to arguments and physical confrontations between the siblings.

The Funeral movie tries to depict the Japanese funerary customs and rituals, such as the purification of the body, the elaborate processions, and the wakes. The director uses these rituals to accentuate the contrast between the facade of propriety and the underlying struggle for control, greed, and power that is prevalent within the Yokoyama family.

The background score of the movie complements the black comedy tone of the film with its quirky and eccentric sound. The comic relief is provided by the quirky supporting characters, such as the amateur film director who wants to make a biopic of the funeral, or the female impersonator who crashes the funeral procession.

Despite being categorized as a black comedy, The Funeral movie also grapples with serious themes such as death, grief, and family dynamics. The movie portrays how death and mourning can bring out the best and the worst in people, and how family dynamics can be complicated and fraught with conflict.

Overall, The Funeral is a quirky and entertaining movie that showcases the best of Japanese black comedy. It depicts the universal themes of death and family relations with humor, subtlety, and insight, leaving a long-lasting impression on its viewers. If you are in search of a movie that is both funny and poignant, The Funeral is a must-watch.