maxinquaye

The other night I had the opportunity to attend a preview screening of Eddie Griffin's new film, Dysfunktional Family. It is primarily a concert film of his stand-up routine back in his hometown of Kansas City. Interspersed throughout that are various clips of his family members, sort on contributing to his act, which oftentimes focuses on them and their eccentricities. Being a concert film, I wasn't all too sure of how good it would be at sustaining my interest throughout. I've found that stand-up comedy is mostly hit-or-miss, and while I do like Eddie Griffin, I wasn't quite sure what to expect from him here.

I want to say that I was really blown away by this movie. I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard, for so long. Eddie is like this little dynamo up there, just a ball of energy. We learn in the film that he was once a dancer, and this clearly shows in his stand-up routine, as he is very rythmic and uses a lot of fluid movement. He is really just amazing to watch, and he never lets up. By the end of the movie I was pretty exhausted.

Interspliced with his routine are home video segments about his family, which is hilarious in itself. Included is his Uncle Kurtis, who is a jolly fat man in overalls with an expansive porn collection, including tapes starring him. One of the funniest moments in the movie is when Eddie is describing how his mother used to beat him, which is intercut with her side of the story.

But like any concert movie, it all comes down to the jokes themselves. And I thought his jokes were hilarious, and at times even poignant. His take on Michael Jackson was great, especially when he compared him to the girl in Planet of the Apes (there is a visual touch here that will kill you). His take on post-911 America was also hilarious, but in a more thoughtful kind of way. Don't get me wrong- his comedy is full of swears and crude humor, but at the same time there is a thoughfulness in many of the jokes which really put them over the top. While he isn't nearly as politically biting as Chris Rock's comedy (although this movie is **FAR** better than Head of State), there is something he brings which Chris Rock doesn't. For all his views on the black experience in America, Rock at times seems to bring with him a certain condescension. Eddie, for better or worse, has a certain street rhythm in his routine, which in a way makes his points about the working class experience that much more effective. They are both great performers, but just in different kinds of ways.

In any case, I highly recommend Dysfunktional Family. It wasn't a perfect movie, as I had some issues with some his jokes- but that sort of is the nature of the beast when it comes to edgy no-holds-barred comedy (like Richard Pryor or Eddie Murphy). I also would have liked to see a bit more of the family video than there were. But minor quibbles aside, the bottom line is this movie made me laugh more than any movie I've seen in a long long time. I really have a new respect for Eddie as he is an incredibly energetic and dynamic performer.

One other note- while this is going to make a great DVD (I can imagine the incredible home video footage NOT included in the film...) I think it is important to see this in the theater. Most "theater" movies are visual ones, where you want to see the images on the big screen. But here the benefit of seeing this in the theater is the energy. By seeing it in the theater, you are basically simulating being there at his stand-up show. The energy of the crowd I saw it in was incredible, and really made the experience of the film a great one. I honestly have't seen a stronger audience reaction to a movie this side of Bowling for Columbine. Like for the 90 minutes of the movie, you are in one big party. It very much felt like a show or concert, rather than just a movie.

I'll stop rambling now This movie just went far beyond my expectations, and was one of the most fun times I've had at a movie theater. Don't take your little kids, but I couldn't recommend it more.

movieking

This movie was horrible.

badger1997

Very insightful. You should be a reviewer.

Trigger

Compelling - you should be a review critic.

movieking

I had more, but I decided to take out accusations of shills.

I stand by my review. It was horrible. I felt that I didn't need to waste anymore time on it than I already did by watching it.

But, to expand slightly, the jokes weren't funny (they were pretty offensive at times). Too bad, since I loved EG in Undercover Brother.

I wouldn't even recommend renting this. If you are looking for good standup DVDs, check out Chris Rock's stuff instead...