This film was written by somebody who understands what it's like to try to be noticed (appreciated) when bigger acts are constantly outshining you: it's the theme that pops up repeatedly with each character. So if I could tell the writers something directly, it would be: "Relax. And stop trying So Hard, and quit being So Obvious about it. You've got what it takes already. Then maybe one day you can actually succeed, and they will all Really Like You." Eulogy, as an ensemble cast in the tradition of The Big Chill, will be a familiar format to most: a death in the family (the father in this case)forces all the grown children, and the grandchildren, to reunite for the funeral. It's an uncomfortable family gathering to say the least, because, in true Hollywood tradition, there are plenty of secrets and resentments to be revealed as they plan the final arrangements and "comfort" their inexplicably suicidal mother. In a family where everybody's a frustrated diva, the stage is set for plenty of hysterics and dramatics.
This film wants to be the quirky Big Chill of its generation, and it partially succeeds. The cast (good, underused talent for the most part, including Piper Laurie as the widowed matriarch and Hank Azaria as a struggling has-been-turned-porn-star son)is certainly up to the task, but the writing paces unevenly between staple comedy clichés and shock value moments. Oh look, the grownup sisters are settling their long-held grudges with a jiujitsu catfight on the dining room rug! Ew, the 12 year old twin nephews are making lewd comments along with Ray Romano, their dad! You get the gist. There are some LOL moments and some chuckles sprinkled sporadically throughout a script that is desperately trying to jam-pack the humor into every crevice.
Throughout the never ending and embarrassing family hijinks and trips to the hospital, we have Kate Collins, our heroine, dealing with her own side plot drama. She has a childhood bestie whom she eventually developed feelings for as they became teenagers, but it ended after the first kiss when for unexplained reasons, she broke it off and basically fled. Ryan still lives in town, and now that Kate has resurfaced for the funeral, he sees his chance to win her back. Played by indie-favorite Zooey Deschanel (in her usual, reliably quirky, cute-girl persona), Kate is the least "drama-queen" of the bunch; you have to wonder if she's the changeling in this family.
So by the end, I had enjoyed Eulogy for its sometimes-witty dialog and formulaic feel-good moments. There is quite a lot of heart behind all of the bluster. It was a pleasant way to pass an evening, all things considered.
