Second Best (2003)
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41% of critics liked it
(17 reviews) -
37% of users liked it
(489 ratings)
Writer Eric Weber (author of the infamous paperback How to Pick Up Girls) directs his screenplay Second Best. Set in New Jersey, the story concerns a group of fiftysomething men dealing with their feelings of inadequacy. Struggling writer Elliot (Joe Pantoliano) is the most desperate of the bunch,… More Writer Eric Weber (author of the infamous paperback How to Pick Up Girls) directs his screenplay Second Best. Set in New Jersey, the story concerns a group of fiftysomething men dealing with their feelings of inadequacy. Struggling writer Elliot (Joe Pantoliano) is the most desperate of the bunch, having failed in the publishing business and trying to finish writing a screenplay. The group prepares for a visit from their old childhood friend who is now a big-time Hollywood producer. Elliot hopes this visit will lead to bigger things in his own life. Also starring Boyd Gaines, Jennifer Tilly, and Bronson Pinchot, Second Best was shown at the Sundance Film Festival in 2004 as part of the American Spectrum competition. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi
- Directed By
- Eric Weber
- Written By
- Eric Weber
- Genres
- Comedy
R,
- In Theaters
- Jan 16, 2004 Wide
- Studio
- Velocity Films
Critic Reviews
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Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
While the dialogue and characterizations frequently resonate with uncomfortable truths and some genuine humor, the central character's quirks are far more irritating than illuminating.
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Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
Might have made a good stage monologue, but as a film it's overstated and barely baked.
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Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger
Unfortunately there's nothing very sympathetic about Elliot, or even interesting.
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Kyle Smith, New York Post
A sour and pointless exercise.
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Jack Mathews, New York Daily News
Though the essays are smartly written and Pantoliano manages to make Elliot vaguely sympathetic, Second Best is a long slog in the dumps.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
No Featured Audience Ratings Found…
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Cast
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Boyd Gaines
as Richard
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Jennifer Tilly
as Carole
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Peter Gerety
as Marshall
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Bronson Pinchot
as Doc Klingenstein
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Matthew Arkin
as Gerald
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Polly Draper
as Paula
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Barbara Barrie
as Dorothea
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James Ryan
as Danny
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Paulina Porizkova
as Allison
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Patricia Hearst
as Alana
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Fiona Gallagher
as Tiffany
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Joe Pantoliano
as Elliot Kelman
- Stephen Bogardus
- Stephen Sable
