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DysFunKtional
Family, 2003, 82 minutes, Rated R
By Marona Lowe
If
you have ever wondered whether life is funnier than fiction, then spend
time with Eddie Griffin's DysFunktional Family. DysFunktional is
occasionally a laugh out loud testament to the fact that humor begins
at home.
When some people become famous, they rewrite their history and
create a more delicate version for mass consumption. Not Eddie
Griffin. He revels in each and every sordid detail of his tough
upbringing in Kansas City, Missouri ("KC-Mo" to EG). Griffin
borrows generously from his family history in a standup routine that
features biting commentary and a healthy dose of raunch, race and
politics.
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© 2003 Miramax Films
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Not your typical concert film, Eddie
Griffin's live performance in DysFunktional is spliced and spiced with
docu-style reflections of the family influences that feed his humor.
Prominently featured are Uncle Buck, the humble recovering addict, and
Uncle Curtis, the proud pervert and aspiring porn king.
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While
Griffin's act covers familiar ground - kinky sex, white people and
black women - Griffin's homegrown humor is the most distinctive. One
of the most poignantly comic moments is Griffin's anecdote of the
teenage whipping when he foolishly hit his mother. She snaps and a car
chase ensues. As Griffin tells the story onstage, the film cuts to his
mom recounting the episode at a family reunion. It's a toss up as to
who is the funnier of the two. Additional clever uses of the
documentary footage would have boosted the film's appeal.
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For sure, cussing is commonplace for
standup comedians. Unfortunately, Griffin doesn't deviate from the
norm and is annoyingly excessive. Griffin uses the n-word to pause and
transition from joke to joke. According to Griffin, he uses the word
to weaken its impact. However, it's so overused that it interferes
with his narrative flow and lessens the strength of his more stellar
comedic sequences. Running only second to Griffin's n-word offense is
his f-word abuse. While Griffin doesn't create any original f-word
contortions, he possibly breaks the 82-minute usage record.
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Cuss words aside, the former drill team
member brings so much pep to this comedy rally it's difficult at
times keep up as jokes come fast and furious. To improve, Griffin
should give his audience time to savor his wit, release a hearty
chuckle and catch a breath. Incorporating meaningful silences to
punctuate his punch lines can only help.
By
the way, be sure to stick around for one last look at the unwavering
and unapologetic pervert.
M
April 2003
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