Eddie Griffin: DysFunktional Family (2003)

Eddie Griffin has never had his big break in either acting or stand up comedy. But Dysfunktional Family proves that he should at least be given a strong round of applause. This is about two-thirds stand up, and one-third skit as Eddie Griffin goes back home to show us the people who inspired him and paved the way for his comedic life.The stand up portion of the film is by far the best part. Eddie Griffin performs in front of a full house talking about racism, 9/11, women, and of course, sex. He talks about why women are known for receiving and not for giving, and why Michael Jackson won't be recognized when entered into Heaven.The topics are diverse, but nonetheless hilarious. When people grab the mic and rant and rave and at least stand for a point rather than trying to say the funniest thing possible, I respect them. Dysfunktional Family is also made up of various skits showcasing where Eddie Griffin's sense of humor came from. We see both of his uncles - one an aspiring porn director, the other an ex-pimp. We see his mother discuss some aspects about Eddie's childhood and more.I've never been fond of skits or any kind of set-up acts in comedy specials because it usually overshadows the true humor in the film. Putting on a set-up skit hoping to get laughs isn't funny - grabbing the mic and ranting on the world is. Dysfunktional Family keeps the skits to a bare-minimum, and focuses on Eddie Griffin's family, which is a positive thing. If anything, that is what it should do in the first place.While this is short, it doesn't really go anywhere fast. The end tries to squeeze in a quote to make this seem like it has a moral, but the true reason this was made was likely to show what made Eddie Griffin himself. Why he is the way he is. What his parents think of his success, and his reactions to certain issues in his life.The total number of times "the n word" is said clocks in at three-hundred and eighty two times. Like with Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat I can't tell if Griffin is using it consistently to be funny or on-purpose. For whatever reason, it almost makes it funnier. Especially when he imitates white people. I should be offended - but if I said I was I'd be lying.Dysfunktional Family is cute and giddy fun which is really all that can be said. It gets continuously harder to review comedy specials because there truly isn't much to say aside from quoting the numerous lines. But you usually don't want to do that because you run the risk of spoiling things for other audiences. If you want to witness vulgarity, crudeness, excessive amounts of sex talk, and just all out chaos then I can't recommend Dysfunktional Family more.Performed by: Eddie Griffin. Directed by: George Gallo.

I'm writing this article after seeing the "DysFUNKtional Family" for the 15th time, and I must say that I still laugh uncontrollably when I hear what Eddie Griffin's mind "bakes". I've seen a quite a few stand-up comedian shows at my age, but I must say... Eddie Griffin "tickles the f!@$ outta me" to use his own words. The movie is a small summary of his tragic life... growing up without a father, being raised by his mother and uncle Bucky. All of this would be true, if HE weren't the one making fun of it all, seeing things from an impersonal point of view... He pretty much talks about everything there is to talk about... 9-11 and the "Osama MFers", about sex, church, drugs, mother's unorthodox methods of raising him/spanking him... the thing is, the movie gets so hilarious at some point, I was beginning to wonder about how will I stop laughing after hearing so many jokes in such a short time... I sincerely recommend the movie to any person that understands English and the subtleties of the English language... I voted a 10 for the movie... amongst my favorites! "Think! It Ain't Illegal Yet!"

Having watched all the Richard Pryor concerts, Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, Chris Rock, Red Foxx and many many other R Rated comedians I have to say this movie was a bit of a let down. There are some funny routines but the whole thing just leaves you feeling a bit flat. Griffin makes extensive use of the N Word that hasn't been heard since early Richard Pryor routines. In fact one problem I had is that it seems like Eddie was trying to be too much like Richard and not enough like himself. The references to his family were ho-hum especially the dry routine about his grandfather and porn watching uncle. Sounds a bit like watered down Pryor. Like I said there are some funny spots, but for every funny moment you have to sit through escapades of so so moments that make you smirk instead of crack up. Wait till this one comes on HBO instead of shelling a few bucks for the rental. 4.5/10

This movie was awesome, had me side bustin i was laughing so hard at some of eddies jokes. Man has some interested and funny concepts on a lot of the more modern subjects of what is going on in the world today. As he talks about 9/11, PU**Y, DRUGS and about his family life throughout the film. His family is quite crazy, and they get pretty involved with the family and get a little deep into his family life. Editing looked like maybe eddie let one of his homies from the hood handle, but its not that bad. Just looks like some1 was trying too much new stuff and should of just kept it a little more basic and straight up. I mean its a comic stand up, don't wanna over do it with the editing like Real Cancun did... Great Movie though, 9/10 very very funny man.