Second Best

Second Best (2003)

  • 41% of critics liked it
    (17 reviews)

  • 36% of users liked it
    (484 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

R, 1 hr. 26 min.
Directed By
Eric Weber
Written By
Eric Weber
Genres
Comedy
In Theaters
Jan 16, 2004 Wide
On DVD
Nov 15, 2005
Velocity Films

Critic Reviews

  • 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.

  • Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

    Might have made a good stage monologue, but as a film it's overstated and barely baked.

  • Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

    Unfortunately there's nothing very sympathetic about Elliot, or even interesting.

  • Kyle Smith, New York Post

    A sour and pointless exercise.

  • 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.

Read all 10 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Cast

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