This isn`t a typical picture about the mafia, one that focuses multiple chase sequences, gun shootings and random betrayals. Instead, director Abel Ferrara prefers to showcase the dramas and flaws of the characters, presenting a powerful cinematic experience about guilt, family, loyalty, union and choices.
It`s not an easy movie to get into, but it`s surely an original and worthwile one. It`s also way too depressing, still very well crafted, managing to be moving, poignant and emotionally heavy without getting melodramatic or over-sentimentalized.

Ferrara creates a gritty, realistic and claustrophobic atmosphere, making for an addictive and memmorable movie. The cast is first rate, including Christopher Walken, Chris Penn and Vincent Gallo (creepy as always) among others.
Don`t be afraid to enter this funeral.

But it was a good surprise at that. I can sympathize with another reviewer's unliking of the acting of Chris Penn and Walken's hair, but those are minor flaws. First and foremost, this is a drama of the Italian American culture. You've seen all the same stuff in the more popular movies, but they weren't honest about it. They were just brutal. As good as Scarcese and Coppola and De Niro and Pacino are, they make it their first priority to make the mobsters likeable. Sure, they got their bad sides (as in, wacking people), but come on, they are people, too. Well, they are people, but that doesn't mean they aren't cruel, bloodthirsty vigilantes.

I felt that The Funeral portrayed the mobsters with much more humanity. It's a fact that most people don't have all-rounded personalities. This movie shows that perfectly.