Watch Undertaking Betty

Undertaking Betty is a hilarious British comedy released in 2002, directed by Nick Hurran. The movie stars British actress Brenda Blethyn, American actor Christopher Walken, and British actor Alfred Molina in the lead roles. The story revolves around Boris Plotz, the owner of a small Welsh funeral home, who is stuck in a loveless marriage with Betty Rhys-Jones, the daughter of another prosperous funeral home owner. From the very beginning of the movie, it is clear that Betty and Boris are both bored of their routine lives, which are heavily dominated by death and funeral arrangements. However, one day, Betty decides that she can no longer go on living like this and decides to commit suicide. The news of Betty's death shocks everyone in the town, and Boris sees it as an opportunity to rekindle his love affair with his old flame, Alice.

But there's a twist – Betty's suicide plan wasn't meant to be tragic. Instead, she had hoped to set in motion a series of events that would shake up her boring town and help her husband discover his true potential.

So, Betty conceals her identity and sets in motion a plan that will turn her funeral into the biggest event in the town's history, including dramatic chases, accidental explosions, and surprise twists. Along the way, Betty's elaborate plan sets off a chain of comically calamitous events, which create a sense of mayhem and chaos in the town. The audience is left to guess whether the town will ever recover from the circus Betty has created.

The great cast of Undertaking Betty delivers wonderful performances throughout the movie. Brenda Blethyn, who plays Betty, is outstanding. Even though she is not physically present for most of the movie, her presence can be felt all along. Christopher Walken plays Boris's sales rep who tries to sell caskets, and while he's a bit eccentric, his acting is flawless. Alfred Molina is his usual talented self, playing the charming but overbearing father of Alice.

The film's direction and screenplay are excellent too. Nick Hurran's direction adds an extra layer of hilarity to the already funny screenplay. The comedy is dry and subtle, leaving the audience to say "wait, did that really just happen?" in disbelief. The film's use of Welsh music and scenery adds a touch of authenticity to the Welsh countryside surroundings.

The movie's pace and timing are also worth appreciating. The film never feels slow or dull, with new characters or stories emerging just as soon as the audience gets to know one character. The twists and turns in the plot keep the audience engaged, and the well-placed humor provides numerous laugh-out-loud moments.

Finally, Undertaking Betty is a hilarious, dark comedy that tells a story of love, betrayal, and mortality with British wit and humor. The movie leaves the audience with a mystery of whether Betty's plan has been successful or not, and the true winner of the conflict is left ambiguous. One can only assume that Betty would have been proud of the end result in the town, even if it wasn't what she had envisioned.

Overall, Undertaking Betty is a great movie that delivers a humorous and enjoyable experience from the start to the end. With its plot twists, witty humor, and outstanding performances, it is a must-watch movie for fans of British comedy.

Undertaking Betty is a 2002 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.