DEAL OF A LIFETIME | Omeleto

A man bargains with a funeral home.
DEAL OF A LIFETIME is used with permission from Lev Pakman. Learn more at levpakman.com.
Roland is shopping for burials, hoping to ease the costs of his parents' future funerals. He's a dutiful son, and he's also cash-strapped, thrifty and anxious, fearful of his mother and father's demise and doubtful of his ability to pay for it all.
When he visits a funeral home, he attempts to negotiate a "buy one, get one free" deal for his parents. But the negotiations are fraught, barrelling Roland to a confrontation with his fears and perceived inadequacies.
Directed and written by Lev Pakman, this short dramedy is a darkly funny family narrative, as a loving but financially stressed son plans for the future funeral of his parents. Like nearly everything else, funeral costs are on the rise, and Roland wants to make sure that his final arrangements for his mother and father are respectful. Always on the lookout for a deal or a coupon to use, he goes about this the only way he knows how, only to discover that the funeral industry is a little different from the other businesses he's bargained with.
The film has a weathered yet somber look, with warm but muted colors and often static, deadpan framings, all of which emphasize the strange absurdity of Roland's odyssey. As Roland tries to find the best burial package, he's confronted with salesmen selling "serenity packages," in exchanges captured in sharp, often ironic dialogue, which have an ear for both the euphemistic crassness of shopping for coffins and the nuances of Roland's character.
Roland is indignant at the high, elitist costs of funerals and their lack of flexibility when it comes to the financial realities of their customers. The inability to find a good deal for his parents' funeral weighs on Roland, who is then propelled, with the help of his savvy son, into the world of DIY caskets and funerals. It allays his fears of being taken advantage of by "merchants of grief," but he's still left with a sense of uneasiness at his parents' prospective deaths.
The film is anchored by a performance by actor and comedian David Cross, known for his comedic roles, especially for his near-iconic performance of Tobias in ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT. Those expecting that character's quirky, clown-like antics, though, will be surprised at Cross's grounded and sincere portrayal of Roland. He's still funny, but the humor comes more from the wry ironies of the situation and his character's dogged commitment to his objective. He always operates from a place of love and devotion to his parents -- a love that causes him to worry that no matter what he does, he will still fall short when it comes to his final respects.
It takes an open conversation with his parents to finally relieve Roland of his fears, giving DEAL OF A LIFETIME a warmhearted ending and a reassurance that familial love can be expressed not just in how much money we lavish on things like weddings and funerals, but in how true we stay to cherished shared values. Set in a world where end-of-life costs have been on the rise, it's an affecting ending to a narrative with a gentle but sly sense of satire, perhaps encouraging us to have more open conversations with our loved ones around difficult, delicate topics -- and to critically grapple with the knot of money, family, love and capitalism ourselves.

[@poll2dock]

Had my mom cremated a few years ago per her wishes. Made the mistake of going through funeral home $7000. Found out later I could have just contacted a crematorium and they would have handled it for $1500. The more you know !

[@trustablerolin]

Thanks!

[@notallowed337]

Yeah. They probably went through the same crematorium at a discount and charged you for making a call. That's f'd up

[@avi10000]

Did the crematorium also make a service with a priest / rabbi ?

[@DrDavelope]

“I paused my game to be here” t-shirt is the best.

[@homayounsolaimani8856]

NOW THAT WAS THINKING OUTSIDE OF THE BOX!!! It is really hilarious that the son and his grandparents were in tune on the matter of alternative burial.

[@justinreedflynn]

Thank you for a wonderful short film Mr. Cross and everyone involved.

[@Dismem]

Thank You Based Justin Flynn

[@thinkfloyd2594]

short film? This is an etsy commercioal. disgusting

[@bluestrife28]

I want everyone who still has both parents together to appreciate these moments…I feel denied some of the real human experience tv always taught me I’d have one day, with them in different states with different families now. 😢

[@yl0000]

“I’ve done paying off Sarah. I’m still paying off Lawrence “. So true. So true.

[@marketads1]

I went to school there too!

[@Ms.Delphine1204]

My mother just passed away yesterday father passed last year and and I was immediately hit with questions and calls about her service and plans from family and friends . I haven’t even been able to catch my breath and think. I turned off my phone and came to watch a good ol O film to escape reality and it starts with casket shopping. Very funny universe 🤦🏾‍♀️

[@Lizzz241]

So sorry for your loss. 🙏

[@Henri377]

Deeply sorry 🙏💜🙏

[@Motherof4-26]

Sorry for your loss 🙏💔 😢

[@eugenetswong]

You have my sympathies. Thank you, Ms. Delphine, for sharing your life with us.

[@NuhShawon]

I'll pray that you get through this gracefully.

[@AW_7_7_7]

“We live only a few conscious decades yet we fret ourselves enough for several lifetimes” Christopher Hitchens 😢

[@2-livnletliv-is-real-love]

couldn’t have stated this point any better if i tried‼️🙏

[@Misses-Hippy]

@@2-livnletliv-is-real-love Shakespeare did.

[@gamelover2222]

My parents and I did the whole burial package stuff a couple of years ago. After seeing the prices, we all decided to go for cremation and spots in a display case next to each other. It's really nuts!

[@endorkugo]

this feels like a paid content marketing video for etsy lol

[@abraxasjinx5207]

And CVS and Costco

[@dannyhammond8092]

And Ross dress for less

[@eugenetswong]

If it were, then I wouldn't be upset. 😀 It would be very creative for a marketing video.

[@endorkugo]

@@abraxasjinx5207 nah it's really etsy. the entire thing is about looking for a coffin and what they found on etsy fits their goal.

[@3arcovich]

😆

[@kyraroybot861]

“I’m not gonna be buried in a grave, when I’m dead just throw me in the trash” -Frank Reynolds (Danny DeVito)

[@PamelaPower-pp1qp]

“Roll me up and smoke me “. Willie Nelson

[@WordUnheard]

Simple. David Cross. Click. I will never grow tired of watching this man's act.

[@WordUnheard]

The parents and the son were great, too! The actor playing the son was so quirky and wholesome.

[@Stevieboy042562]

I did the same thing: “Cross? Click!”

[@mitchmccarron8337]

I kind of don't know why I love this, but it's a beauty & I feel better for having watched it :) I guess it's the closeness of the family & shared traits, even though it's being cheap lol! It's good to know that those that have passed can't really complain or take offense, whatever happens to their bodies, but it must be awesome to agree in advance that no frills is just better value ;) Great job +1 !! Mitch, Australia.

[@valerieking5265]

I was doing research on what happens when I die. I'm going to make all of those arrangements ahead of time so it will be all planned out without burdening anyone. I read that in the state of Florida, you can contact the Anatomical Board of the State of Florida and donate your body. Also, I could contact the county that I live in and explain that I don't have the funds to cover a funeral, cremation or embalming & they will take care of everything. Right now, I'm looking at filing bankruptcy because I lost my job in April and having a devil of a time getting another job. I'm even applying for low level jobs like working in a call center. Oh well, at least I don't have cancer and still have a roof over my head.

[@JohnSmith-bq1sj]

Something will come up! It's always when you're not expecting it !

[@valerieking5265]

@@JohnSmith-bq1sj Thank you John, I got a job with a bank last month!!! Such a relief.

[@Azagthoth12]

I will watch anything with David Cross

[@HBarnill]

This dude was in the Alvin and the Chipmunk trilogy.

[@mollyN2112]

David Cross, he's fantastic.

[@MeditaComigo]

Uma simples ato final que faz parte da vida e não deveria ser explorado com algo que falecidos não aproveitariam, apenas nossa consciência. (me emocionei com o abraço em família)

[@jennawalden8547]

My favourites are the elderly couple, love them ❤ 😂. Well done to all xx

[@estellehillermann7650]

For sure🇿🇦

[@HollyHeflen-pm2se]

This a real, raw, beautiful expression of the delicate situation that is death in the family

[@Stevieboy042562]

I would watch David Cross watching paint dry.

[@crystalweible152]

It should be against the law to take advantage of grief.

[@000aleph]

In films, too?

[@chemzard]

David Cross is fantastic!

[@bradxwx]

You don't have to pay for a loved one's death expenses. Not your problem. I worked at a funeral home. It's all a big fat ripoff. If you're gonna pay just have a crematorium handle it. Probably the cheapest route aside from refusing to pay at all

[@glen7228]

Oh hell yes, DIY!

[@haeuptlingaberja4927]

Geddy Lee playing David's elderly, defiant mom.

[@midnightodellewest1999]

Why did I find this so comforting?

[@wazzy87]

Finally a Happy Ending 😅

[@ritabosnich9974]

I love it I love it…. My brother passed away a few years ago. He. Struggled with mental health. He had no money. Me single living in California working 2 jobs. I creamated him 1500.00……. And never looked back at the vaulters

[@ARPorganics]

It made me cry like a big old baby. What a vibe.

[@nicholasvanorton7840]

GENIUS👏👏👏👏🥂🥂💐

[@sqd8r]

That's the best family ever.

[@Nikita_Brus]

What a great short.

[@IdislikeTechnology]

Ironic how the overarching theme is that everything is gonna be alright, despite life being outside of our control-- like his wife's death and the funeral prices. I guess communication is key, ultimately 🤷‍♀️

[@tvtonite79]

What a beautiful heartwarming & uplifting story about dying. LOVED it!

[@MTCali1970]

Oh gosh, I thought he was going to off his parents and put them in the caskets ⚰️ ⚰️🤷‍♀️🤪🤫

[@briteeyes2133]

Same!

[@chankirtan]

I was waiting for a piano to fall on him after he'd walked his parents to their car.

[@1st1anarkissed]

While you usually cannot bury humans in your yard, it was a sweet video.

[@nomadikmind3979]

im not even close to being a socialist or communist. Govt intervention pretty much guarantees inefficiency and failure. BUT the greed of the funeral industry is beyond needing regulation

[@StephenAnderson-x7b]

Making money from people’s death is just why we don’t deserve to inherit this world 😢 everyone born should have a right to free burials imho

[@hermanmunster4949]

I asked the funeral director why the price of funeral services for the dead was so high and he said "It's due to the cost of living."

[@jessiequinton9974]

Lmaooo I don't even know why that's funny but you got me 🤣

[@young1975]

What a wholesome moment

[@ImnotChuck.]

I like the film and the plan. I would be most comfortable in a cheap pine box...or no box at all. I could never rest in a Nancy Reagan.

[@LivingInTheShade]

Coincidentally I've been talking to my family about this. Asking them not to get an expensive casket just a cheap coffin, I won't see it or feel it. Prefer any money to go to them rather than a funeral director. Just a small church funeral service that's good enough.

[@rt8532]

Nice little film!

[@lindamchale7837]

I love. this. Love the process.

[@andrewcorona1]

The Whole Entire Cast Of The Live Action Movie Version Of Alvin And The Chipmunks Should Love This.

[@emergentform1188]

LOL very fun!

[@matokaknox971]

So I can be buried in my backyard? I paid $3500 for my cremation which I've come to realize is slightly overpriced! I got work to do, just when I thought I was finished.

[@estellehillermann7650]

Just made my day.👍🇿🇦

[@MisterG2323]

Something tells me you're not allowed to just up and bury someone in your backyard. This was still a fun short, though.

[@MichaelMurphy-kj3xf]

It depends on where you live and how big the property is

[@asjdwf]

I LOVE this

[@samsjj7606]

Cant even afford to die in this economy 😅

[@mickiddymichael7878]

I want to go cremation for myself but am also thinking I'm robbing my body from experiencing everything that happens after death. If you cremate the body you are going straight to calcium phosphate and that's it. Completely missing everything else you could have turned into.

[@MichelleRedmond-p8q]

Chicken pop chicken pot piiiieeee🎉

[@teejaytytan]

That guy never loses!

[@lynngreene1993]

Loved this!!!! ♡♡♡♡

[@thefeatheredhag4279]

That guy looks like a mortician 😅

[@ETIENNE8100]

Freaking hilarious 😂

[@joey86bu1]

When i saw DC was in this, auto click.

[@stronzer59]

could take this prospect a step further and throw them both in the same box on the same day? They did say they wanted to be closer right??

[@ladyteaslinger]

I see Tobias. I click.

[@abraxasjinx5207]

Oh ye of little Mr. Show knowledge.

[@ladyteaslinger]

@@abraxasjinx5207 oh dear, you must have very little to do, huh?

[@DanKirchner5150]

happy 60 home boy

[@broslyons8045]

nice

[@fredhannum4015]

Even when you go for cremation, the state requires a casket. 😢

[@rileywhetstone1755]

I'm donating my body to the Medical College, free of charge.

[@Vivalarosa45]

Even death is expensive. So true.

[@asahi43]

Exclusively here for my man David Cross

[@1neAdam12]

Oy Gevaldt! Hand wringing intensifies as Hava Nagila plays softly in the background

[@CrepuscularChaot]

This is sweet… but when my time comes Recompose me!

[@SICK562CKRISS]

Bargainers family. Remind me of me and my dad lol

[@dawnmullen4348]

Green burials. Mortuaries hate this one trick!

[@bobg1685]

Nicely done.

[@stephencarroll230]

Nice!

[@everythingherbs]

Uncle Ian❤❤

[@SupremeFudge]

Man, things went downhill after those chipmunks

[@travis1044]

I love this channel

[@canary_inthecoalmine]

David Cross 🥰 our death cult is expensive to the cost of our very lives

[@sarahte8154]

David Cross 😁

[@pugsymalone6539]

7:00 and I'm laughing. Good stuff.

[@Scruncho]

Simple yet effective

[@Thaihandmade-wd9mh]

Sigh. I don't get it. If they had that exact plan before his parents died, why was he going through all of that stress of looking for caskets?

[@jimcypher]

3D print a coffin bro.

[@SixTough]

This was supwer weird, I must have missed something?

[@laur100]

Brushed silver, platinum rose, Guadalupe... what do you have in the wicker range?

[@cianapopolizio3937]

Ian Hawke, is that you?!

[@cainX000]

David Cross back baby

[@JuiciferPandoraRex]

the gwaddleoopay

[@PomonaCabby]

😂😂😂

[@Misses-Hippy]

I would like to be lunch for lions, or some othe carnivore. That way another animal lives. Failing that, my stiff can go to scince. Is it possile to leave your mortal coil to the Arts and Humanities?

[@JuliaJulia007]

Eh, I wanted to see it play out.

[@elcidx25]

Oye vey

[@aiRCoft]

*_David Cross_** in an **_Omeleto_** video?!?* *I honestly don't know if this is rock bottom for him, or a step up....*

[@orangedpotato]

I blued myself

[@kundan_28]

do better omeleto

[@kobieeee]

I dislike david cross and I forgot why until I watched this video

[@s.a4044]

acting here is subpar