The Funeral Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A crime family has a funeral, then decides to dig up *all* the emotional baggage instead of just burying the body.

🍿 The Funeral: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Family in Mourning: Johnny’s Death

The film opens with the stark image of Johnny Tempio’s coffin being brought into his family’s New York home in the 1930s. Johnny, the youngest of three brothers, has been mysteriously murdered, setting the grim stage for a wake that doubles as a quest for revenge. His older brothers, Ray (Christopher Walken) and Chez (Chris Penn), lead the family’s criminal enterprise, each reacting to the tragedy in their own distinct ways. Ray, the eldest, is a cold, calculating figure who often reads, while Chez is a volatile, hot-headed man. Flashbacks intersperse the present-day wake, revealing Johnny’s character as more sensitive and complex than his brothers, even hinting at his exposure to communist ideologies which swayed his views.

The Quest for Revenge Begins

Ray and Chez are consumed by the need to avenge Johnny’s death, immediately suspecting rival gangster Gaspare Spoglia (Benicio Del Toro) as the killer. Ray’s wife, Jean (Annabella Sciorra), and Chez’s wife, Clara (Isabella Rossellini), struggle with the impending violence, their pleas often clashing with the brothers’ hardened resolve. Their perspectives highlight the destructive cycle of the gangster lifestyle. Ray abducts Gaspare for interrogation, taking him to see Johnny’s corpse. Ray relies on a superstitious belief among gangsters: that a victim’s wounds will bleed in the presence of their killer. Gaspare’s calm demeanor convinces Ray of his innocence regarding the *direct* murder. However, Ray still orders Gaspare killed later, reflecting the ruthless nature of their world beyond immediate justice.

The True Killer Revealed

Through their relentless investigation, Ray’s men eventually identify the true killer of Johnny. It is not a rival gangster, but a man seeking revenge for Johnny having previously beaten and embarrassed him in front of his girlfriend. This revelation shifts the focus from inter-gang warfare to more personal, albeit still violent, motivations. Ray confronts Johnny’s killer, extracting a confession that solidifies the personal nature of the crime. Despite the killer’s plea, Ray, driven by his own harsh code of justice and the need for retribution, executes him. This act reinforces Ray’s character as a man bound by brutal traditions, even when the circumstances deviate from typical mob conflicts.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ray (Christopher Walken): The cold and calculating elder Tempio brother who orchestrates a violent revenge for his younger brother Johnny’s murder.
• Chez (Chris Penn): The hot-headed and emotionally volatile middle Tempio brother who struggles with grief and descends into madness.
• Johnny (Vincent Gallo): The youngest and deceased Tempio brother whose murder serves as the catalyst for the family’s quest for revenge and introspection.
• Jean (Annabella Sciorra): Ray’s wife, who disapproves of the family’s violent criminal lifestyle and the ensuing cycle of retribution.
• Clara (Isabella Rossellini): Chez’s wife, who attempts to support her husband while grappling with his increasingly erratic and dangerous behavior.
• Gaspare (Benicio Del Toro): A suave rival gangster initially suspected of Johnny’s murder, becoming a key figure in Ray’s investigation and revenge plot.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ray: “God doesn’t like that. He doesn’t like that one bit.” – Ray often says this when justifying his violent actions or commenting on the moral implications of others’ deeds, reflecting his twisted sense of divine will.
• Jean: “There’s nothing romantic about it at all.” – Ray’s wife, Jean, expresses her deep disillusionment with the gangster lifestyle, stripping away any perceived glamour.
• Chez: “I’m the middle brother! You think I don’t know who I am?” – Chez, a volatile and insecure character, lashes out, revealing his deep-seated identity crisis and frustration within the family hierarchy.
• Johnny: “Nobody’s born into this. Nobody.” – The deceased Johnny, despite being from a crime family, questions the inherited nature of their violent lives, hinting at his more ‘leftist’ leanings.
• Ray: “You know, the only thing that makes me nervous is when I hear a man talk like he got nothing to lose.” – Ray, a seasoned gangster, reveals his pragmatic assessment of danger when confronted by someone who appears utterly reckless.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $12,500,000
• Domestic Gross: $1,227,324
• Worldwide Gross: $1,227,553

💥 The Funeral Reviews

Personal Review

The Funeral really caught me off guard. I went in expecting a straightforward crime drama, but what I got was this intensely raw look at a family completely unraveling after a tragedy. I was absolutely absorbed by the performances; Christopher Walken and Chris Penn are just phenomenal, conveying so much history and hurt without needing a ton of dialogue. The scene where Walken’s character confronts his brother was particularly chilling—you could feel decades of resentment pouring out. It’s not an easy watch, by any means, but it’s incredibly rewarding. I found myself thinking about the choices these characters made and the weight of their legacy long after the credits rolled. It truly makes you reflect on the brutal complexities of family loyalty and vengeance.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of character-driven crime dramas and psychological thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in an unromanticized, gritty portrayal of mob life”
  • “Admirers of Abel Ferrara’s distinct directorial style”
  • “Audiences who appreciate intense, raw performances from actors like Christopher Walken and Chris Penn”
  • “Those who enjoy films that explore themes of revenge, family loyalty, and existential despair”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong violence and disturbing scenes (e.g., blood splatter, stabbings, shootings)”
  • “Graphic sexual content and nudity (female frontal nudity, sex scenes, implied rape)”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Depiction of mental breakdown and self-destructive behavior”
  • “Mature thematic content”

Professional Reviews

• Film Weekly: “Abel Ferrara’s ‘The Funeral’ is a searing exploration of grief and vengeance within a mob family. The performances are raw and electrifying, particularly from Walken and Ferrara, painting a grim yet captivating portrait of loyalty and betrayal. It’s an unflinching character study that lingers long after the credits roll.
• Cinema Today: “This film masterfully crafts a claustrophobic atmosphere of simmering tension and sorrow. ‘The Funeral’ isn’t about the glamour of crime, but the devastating emotional toll it takes on a family. The dialogue is sharp, and the dramatic confrontations are incredibly potent, making it a powerful watch.

Audience Reactions

The raw, unglamorous portrayal of a crime family’s inner turmoil and the intense acting.: Viewers consistently praise the powerful, emotionally charged performances, especially the unexpected depth brought to the criminal characters and the film’s gritty realism.

Overall Consensus: A somber, intense drama universally praised for its powerful performances and deep dive into the emotional complexities of a criminal family dealing with loss and vengeance.

Awards

1. Venice Film Festival (Volpi Cup for Best Actor)- 1996

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Chris Penn, who played the middle brother Chez, was actually four years younger than Vincent Gallo, who played the youngest brother Johnny.”
• “A notable goof in the film is that Vincent Gallo, playing the deceased Johnny in the coffin, can be seen flinching when someone brushes his eyebrows.”
• “Christopher Walken’s role as Ray was originally offered to Nicolas Cage.”
• “Chris Penn won the Best Actor award at the Venice Film Festival for his intense performance as Chez in this film.”
• “The film’s sound editing has been criticized by some viewers as being poor, with character dialogue sometimes difficult to hear over ambient noise.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Funeral?

Abel Ferrara’s ‘The Funeral’ is not widely available on subscription streaming services, but you can typically find it for digital purchase or rent on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and other major VOD providers. Check your preferred platform for current availability and pricing, as options may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Funeral, you might like these similar films:

• King of New York (1990): Directed by Abel Ferrara and also starring Christopher Walken, this film similarly delves into the dark, philosophical underworld of a crime boss.
• Goodfellas (1990): While ‘The Funeral’ is more somber and character-focused, both films offer a raw, unglamorous look at the lives of mobsters and their psychological tolls.
• Bad Lieutenant (1992): Another Abel Ferrara film known for its intense character study of a man’s moral decay and self-destruction, mirroring the profound psychological torment faced by characters in ‘The Funeral’.
• Once Upon a Time in America (1984): Set in a similar historical period (early 20th century) and offering a sprawling, contemplative, and ultimately tragic epic about the lives of gangsters and their bonds.
• A History of Violence (2005): Explores themes of inherited violence, family legacy, and the inescapable past of a man trying to leave his dark history behind, resonating with the Tempio brothers’ struggles.

🛒 The Funeral Related Products

• The Funeral: Collector’s Edition Blu-ray: Experience Abel Ferrara’s crime drama like never before with a newly remastered transfer, director’s commentary, deleted scenes, and a featurette on the film’s gritty realism.
• The Funeral Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: Immerse yourself in Joe Delia’s melancholic and intense score that underscores the film’s powerful narrative, available as a digital download or on a limited-edition vinyl.
• Prizzi Family Legacy: A Strategic Board Game: Step into the shoes of a Prizzi family member in this strategic board game. Navigate loyalty, betrayal, and power struggles to solidify your control over the underworld and emerge as the dominant boss.
• The Art of Abel Ferrara: A Director’s Retrospective: An insightful book exploring the filmography of Abel Ferrara, featuring exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, and critical analysis of ‘The Funeral’ and his other iconic works.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Funeral features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Requiem for a Fallen Brother” – performed by Joe Delia
• “Shadows of the Past” – performed by Joe Delia
• “The Weight of Loyalty” – performed by Joe Delia

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

One Wedding and a Funeral | Funny Clip | Classic Mr Bean

If you loved Father Gerald’s unforgettable sermon in ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral,’ you *have* to rewatch this classic clip! It perfectly captures the film’s unique blend of humor and heart, and honestly, Rowan Atkinson’s comedic timing here is just brilliant.

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