Big Shot's Funeral
Lights...Camera...Commerce.
World famous film director Don Tyler (Donald Sutherland) is surrounded by hundreds of costumed extras in China's fantastic Forbidden City when a creative drought hits and he has no idea where to put the camera. Tossed off the picture by his studio boss (Paul Mazursky), Tyler's depression is only relieved by his unlikely friendship with down-on-his-luck cameraman Yoyo (Ge You).
Knowing he's not well, Tyler asks his friends to plan a "comedy funeral" for him where people leave feeling happy, as they do at Chinese funerals of the elderly. When Tyler eventually falls into a coma, Yoyo begins the task of granting Tyler's last wish.
However, when the costs of his spectacular funeral spin wildly out of control, can Yoyo hold it all together by selling prime ad space at this unique event to be televised around the world? And more importantly for Yoyo, can he convince Tyler's lovely assistant Lucy (Rosamund Kwan) that he isn't just selling Tyler out to the highest bidder?
That's the world of Big Shot's Funeral: a zany, satiric comedy capturing the dizzy excitement and whirlwind change of modern-day China.
Member Reviews
Funny Culture Clash - kav2001c
This is actually a very good film (from watching the commercials I had been expecting a cheap one joke kind of film but was quite surprised)
I will put this one caveat on it
There is alot that isnt really explained... if you know more about Asian cinema than Bruce Lee and Zhang Ziyi you will like it, if you have no experiance in foreign films chances are you will be lost
The backdrop to (what seems to be quite simple) is an artistic director has a heart attack and his dieing wish is to have his cameraman film him a "comedy funeral"
His assistant (who is totally whitewashed, they make a few cracks about how she isnt "real Chinese") is appalled at the idea
But when his newfound freinds discover he is totally broke they are left trying to find a way to raise the money to pay for the extravagant send off
The solution? Sell the rights to his funeral.
And they go off to plan his funeral, despite the PAs assurances "but he isnt even dead yet"
The movie is more complex than youd think at first glance, well worth the rentalFunny and quirky flick. - spaceanddeath
Although Big Shot's Funeral was utterly trashed by the critics, it's actually a very fun and intelligent satirical view of capitalism in modern China. I would actually consider this a three and a half star rating (though Zip allows for whole stars only). It loses half a star for some inconsistant pacing in the second half of the film, as well as for the unconvincing romantic sub-plot, which only manages to be salvaged in the last moments of the movie when it finally makes the decision not to take itself seriously.
Donald Sutherland is hysterical as a "big shot" western director named Tyler whose obtuse and self-aggrandizing ways are let loose in the presence of Ge You's Yo Yo, a down-on his luck cameraman who buys in to the legend's reputation. When his health fails, Tyler charges Yo Yo with orchestrating a grand "comedy funeral" - neglecting only to mention his lack of ability to finance it all, leaving Yo Yo to think outside the box...or at least to find more adspace on the outside of it.
Definately worth a rent if you're keen on satire.
Member Reviews
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Funny Culture Clash - kav2001c
This is actually a very good film (from watching the commercials I had been expecting a cheap one joke kind of film but was quite surprised)
I will put this one caveat on it
There is alot that isnt really explained... if you know more about Asian ...Funny and quirky flick. - spaceanddeath
Although Big Shot's Funeral was utterly trashed by the critics, it's actually a very fun and intelligent satirical view of capitalism in modern China. I would actually consider this a three and a half star rating (though Zip allows for whole stars only). It ...