DysFunKtional Family (2003)

Synopsis: DYSFUNKTIONAL FAMILY takes place at the crossroads of Eddie Griffin's stand-up comedy routine and his actual life. As the title of the film suggests, Griffin frequently exploits his family experiences for stage material, much to the alternating delight or chagrin of his mother, uncles,... DYSFUNKTIONAL FAMILY takes place at the crossroads of Eddie Griffin's stand-up comedy routine and his actual life. As the title of the film suggests, Griffin frequently exploits his family experiences for stage material, much to the alternating delight or chagrin of his mother, uncles, and friends. On stage, Griffin recalls meeting his father for the first time, his school days in Kansas City, and numerous beatings he received from his mother. Spliced between these dramatic moments are shots of Griffin walking around his old elementary school and the house in which he grew up. These biographical landscapes make Griffin's performance feel poignant, providing the viewer with the actual settings and characters from which he draws his material. When the film cuts between Griffin onstage and his mother at home relaying the same story--the two versions are often so completely in synch, it suggests Griffin's "act" is no act at all, just a presentation of his life itself. Most of Griffin's performance provides commentary on sex or race relations in the United States, and his exhibitionistic mode of comedy (if he's not climbing the curtains, he's falling down) and profane candor seem to either attract or alienate audience members both in the film and those watching it. [More]