sid smith of the "chicago tribune" called the film "lethal farce, combining hints of "the lavender hill mob", doses of joe orton and a smidgen of the farrelly brothers' scatology in its mix." he added, "the sibling rivalry/resolution meant to give the movie its sweet, heartfelt thread is weak, and there are stretches in which the comedy sags or settles for the predictable. but "death" provides an adult tonic in a season typically abandoned to the comic book cocktail. there are worse ways to escape the august heat."