The Groomsmen (2006)

52% of critics liked it
(33 reviews)
36% of users liked it
(17,976 ratings)

Five longtime friends enjoy a few days of celebratory carousing as they try to forget their adult responsibilities in this slice-of-life comedy drama from director/writer/actor Edward Burns. Paulie (Burns) is a working-class guy from Long Island who has learned that his longtime girlfriend (Brittany… More Five longtime friends enjoy a few days of celebratory carousing as they try to forget their adult responsibilities in this slice-of-life comedy drama from director/writer/actor Edward Burns. Paulie (Burns) is a working-class guy from Long Island who has learned that his longtime girlfriend (Brittany Murphy) is pregnant, and he decides he should do the right thing and marry her. Paulie has asked several of his best friends to stand with him at the wedding, and shortly before the big day, they get together at a local watering hole to give Paulie a proper send-off. Over the course of a weekend, the guys knock back a lot of beer, play a little softball, swat some golf balls, head out fishing and share their thoughts, with each man having some unresolved baggage to deal with. While Paulie is excited about his upcoming marriage, he's scared of how parenthood will change his life. His older brother, Jimbo (Donal Logue), has been arguing with his wife and spending his time in topless bars, but inside he's worried about the fact his wife hasn't been able to get pregnant, and he's convinced it's his fault. Des (Matthew Lillard) is a seemingly happy husband and father, but he seems to be more interested in getting his old rock band back together than spending time with his family. Mike (Jay Mohr) wants to settle down and have kids, but he can't imagine doing so with any woman other than the girl who dumped him some time ago. And while T.C. (John Leguizamo) goes out of his way to like one of the guys, he doesn't have the nerve to tell his best friends that he's gay. The Groomsmen received its world premiere at the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 38 min.
Directed By: Edward Burns
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Jul 14, 2006 Wide
On DVD: Nov 16, 2006
Studio: Bauer Martinez Distribution

Critic Reviews

Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
This is the movie I believe Burns has been trying to make since The Brothers McMullen, 11 years ago.
Philip Wuntch, Dallas Morning News
Traffics in such familiar territory as sibling rivalries, generational estrangements and broken dreams. But it slowly, sometimes too slowly, connects with the viewer.
Ty Burr, Boston Globe
The Groomsmen may be low-cal Cassavetes or Secrets and Lies for mooks, but Burns knows his turf. The marvel is that after seven films he's still finding fresh grass.
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
In a film of minor ambition, [the characters are] all worthy company.
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger
The problem is that Burns -- who insists on writing all his own material -- isn't a very good writer.
Kyle Smith, New York Post
Instead of whimsy there's nastiness, and instead of promising newcomers there's a cluster of formerly hot actors gone cold.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
Writer/director Ed Burns adds a droopy fourth chapter to his Irish-American working class films...
Doris Toumarkine, Film Journal International
Secure in its indie identity and wholly entertaining, The Groomsmen deserves hordes of filmgoers seeking quality alternatives to the bigger summer pictures.
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul), St. Paul Pioneer Press
A standard big-weekend-where- friends-gather-and- everyone-has- a-secret movie.
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion
It appears that as a filmmaker Burns is having as much difficulty maturing as his characters do.
Mark Bell, Film Threat
Its realistic portrayal of an almost extinct small-town dynamic between friends and family is not to be missed.
Harvey S. Karten, Compuserve
Ed Burns repeats himself in his familiar territory about people who are young and stupid.
Bill White, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
The Groomsmen, while as corny as a Staten Island marriage proposal, rings true on many levels.
Eric Lurio, Greenwich Village Gazette
What this is, is a typical film about nothing, which is what Burns likes to do best.
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide
With the exception of the reliably wooden Burns, the ensemble is terrific.

Read all 15 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Al S

An excellent and heartfelt comedy filled with big laughs and riventing character drama. A gem of a film from Director, Edward Burns. It`s smart, fresh, winning and real. A great film bout love, freindship, and new beginings. The all-star cast gives some of the best acting of their… More
An excellent and heartfelt comedy filled with big laughs and riventing character drama. A gem of a film from Director, Edward Burns. It`s smart, fresh, winning and real. A great film bout love, freindship, and new beginings. The all-star cast gives some of the best acting of their careers showing great comediec ablity and dramatic sensitivity. Edwarn Burns is terrific, ones of his best performances and bests directionals features yet. Jay Mohr is outragious. John Leguizamo is excellent. Donal Louge is brilliant. Matthew Lillard is fantastic. This movie is just pure joy. A tremendously entertaining and compelling buddy movie.
Melvin W

"There's a difference between getting older and growing up." The Groomsmen was a pretty nice little surprise. It worked pretty well as a comedy. The drama is a little off, but not to bad that it ruins the movie as a whole. Edward Burns writes, directs and stars in this… More
"There's a difference between getting older and growing up." The Groomsmen was a pretty nice little surprise. It worked pretty well as a comedy. The drama is a little off, but not to bad that it ruins the movie as a whole. Edward Burns writes, directs and stars in this film. I'm fine wight he first two, but I wish he wouldn't have acted in it. He's unconvincing and weak as an actor in The Groomsmen. Plus he reminds me too much of Ben Affleck. The rest of the cast was really cool though. John Lugizamo, Brittany Murphy, Matthew Lillard, Donal Logue and Jay Mohr. Obviously that cast isn't a bunch of A-listers, but it's a cool cast for a little Indie comedy. The movie is far from great. It does try to get too dramatic in portions and does get annoying every once in awhile. But for the most part I really enjoyed it. The movie centers around a group of friends during the week before one of them gets married. Secrets are revealed about each other, they fight, they drink and they learn to grow up. The story isn't groundbreaking, the relationships are nothing new; but the movie still works. The Groomsmen was a lot better then I was lead to believe. It's a fun little comedy that may try a little too hard in portions; but at least it tried. That's more then you can say about a lot of mainstream comedies.
Cassandra M

I didn't see the movie while it's still in the theaters because my friends said that it was a waste of time, money, and everything. So, i took their advice and just watched other movies that was aired on the cinemas that month. Then the other day, I saw the Groomsmen on… More
I didn't see the movie while it's still in the theaters because my friends said that it was a waste of time, money, and everything. So, i took their advice and just watched other movies that was aired on the cinemas that month. Then the other day, I saw the Groomsmen on DVD, and i was so intrigued cuz to why is it the worst movie that my friends claims it to be. I bought the DVD. The minute i bought it, i was so angry at myself cuz i thought i wasted my money on something that really isn't that good to watch. So i flipped the DVD and put it inside my dvdrom, and played it. Then to my surprise, it wasn't that dope, it was great! I just let the movie speak for itself. It didn't bored me to death like my friends said that it would. It has great values to share. Really Great Values.. I recommend this movie to be watched from beginning to the end! It's not a waste of time or money. I say, this movie will make your day complete. It's really touching, funny and .... I guess words aren't enough to describe this wonderful movie... So take my word... WATCH IT!
Bobby H

Alot of people dont like this movie because the theme is so simple - but I differ, because it's reality. Events that happen to everyday men, in the everyday world, not just hollywood! The movie and actors were both great.