James Bershon

I thought that a dark comedy from England might be a welcome relief from the 24-hour news cycle that we get tapped in. There are romantic comedies about love, relationships, work, raising children and even death and funerals. This quirky little film is about the last subgenre. I was amazed when I looked into how many films have been made on this subject. Some of the better-known films include; Waking Ned Devine (1998), Harold and Maude (1971), Death at a Funeral (2007), Get Low (2009) and Bernie (2011). This month’s film from England Undertaking Betty was originally titled Plots with a View. The director, Nick Hurran, got his start in British TV and learned how to move the plot along to keep the viewer’s interest. It stars many great actors in the springtime of their careers. Brenda Blethyn is Betty unhappily married to Hugh played by Robert Pugh. Alfred Molina is funeral director Boris and his competing funeral director Frank is portrayed by Christopher Walken. The cast is rounded out by Naiomi Watts as Hugh’s sexy secretary, and Lee Evans as Frank’s goofy assistant. There are cameos by Jerry Springer as himself and Miriam Margolyes as the twin florists. The zany story when Betty’s mother-in-law dies, and she has to make funeral arrangements with Boris. Their childhood flirtation blossoms into something else and a plot is devised to get her out of her loveless marriage. There’s witty well written lines, some with double entendres, and sight gags. There’s even surprised, dance numbers influenced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and Busby Berkeley inspired cinematography. I hope that you’ll enjoy the hidden gem with a one hour and 34-minute runtime.