April 2003 DysFUNKtional Family

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Reviewed by Godfrey Powell DysFUNKtional Family Starring: Eddie Griffin Directed by: George Gallo Written by: Eddie Griffin Distributed by: Miramax Films Rated R: For extreme profanity and some nudity      Eddie Griffin returns to the big screen attempting to follow in the footsteps of classic comedian stand-up specials such as “Live in Concert”, “Raw”, “You So Crazy” and “Himself” with his own “DysFUNKtional Family.” DysFUNKtional Family tries to combine the stand-up of Eddie Griffin with the outrageousness of his close family members. The problem, however, is that outside of a few jokes, it is terribly unfunny. The idea, while not wholly original, is creative and could have been channeled into a drastically better comedic vehicle. DysFUNKtional introduces us to Eddie Griffin’s actual family through interviews while Eddie simultaneously describes his family members to a Kansas City audience. Eddie sets them up with his verbose, pop-eyed style as they then are supposed to outlive their descriptions. There is his crazy mother who tried to run him over with a car, an Uncle Bucky who has been in and out of prison most of his life as well as Uncle Curtis whose favorite pastime is not only watching pornography but starring in them as well. The film’s problem becomes evident after all the family members introductions; DyFUNKtional Family meanders around with very little bits of Eddie’s family and dissolves into an over-the top Eddie Griffin comedy hour. I longed for less of Eddie and more of the family interviews. Either the director, George Gallo and editor Michael Miller had a few drinks in the editing room or there was not enough footage because DysFUNKtional misses out on what should have been the actual comedic focus of the film. Eddie does get in a few guffaws such as revealing his love of giving oral sex and his first experimentation with drugs. Eventually, I grew bored with DysFUNKtional Family. This may stem from the fact that while he may have been a humorous guy on “Malcolm & Eddie” or do a spot on impression of Sammy Davis Jr., he has neither the caustic wit nor savvy observations nor vivid storytelling abilities of the aforementioned Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, or Bill Cosby. Even in comparison to more recent contemporaries such as Chris Rock or the Kings of Comedy, Eddie’s material lacks the same level of mirthfulness. Eventually he resorts to truly low brow humor towards the end of the film. Indeed, my observations proved true as a misplaced camera shot revealed a few men yawning uninhibitedly during his concert. For a true chuckle, rent Dave Chappelle’s “Killin’ Them Softly.”