Publication Date: 03-31-2026

Dysfunktional Family (2003) review

Dir. George Gallo

By: Steve Pulaski

Rating: ★★★

Eddie Griffin has never had what you would call a big break in either acting, but Dysfunktional Family proves that he should at least be given a strong round of applause. The film about 65% stand-up, with the rest consisting of skits involving Griffin returning home to Kansas City, MO to show us the people who inspired him.

Shot at the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville, IN (fun fact: where I saw my first concert, “Weird Al” Yankovic, in 2008), 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 build upon a large monologue, it earns my attention. 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 his constant desire to make people laugh.

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 scripted skit hoping to get laughs just isn’t as funny nor as natural. Dysfunktional Family conservatively employs them, at least, largely focusing on Eddie Griffin’s family, which is a positive thing.

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 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, which Lawrence did to great comic effect in his theatrical special too.

Dysfunktional Family is cute and giddy fun, which is really all that can be said. If you want to witness vulgarity, crudeness, excessive amounts of sex talk, all tied together in a package that paints an adequate and entertaining portrait of its subject, then I can’t recommend it enough.

Performed by: Eddie Griffin. Directed by: George Gallo.