The Pallbearer (1996)

42% of critics liked it
(19 reviews)
14% of users liked it
(8,130 ratings)

This dark comedy is a clever homage to classic generation gap comedies such as The Graduate (1967), The Last Picture Show (1971) and The Big Chill (1983), filtered through an ironic Generation X lens. Tom Thompson (David Schwimmer) is unemployed and aimless, hovering between childhood and adult… More This dark comedy is a clever homage to classic generation gap comedies such as The Graduate (1967), The Last Picture Show (1971) and The Big Chill (1983), filtered through an ironic Generation X lens. Tom Thompson (David Schwimmer) is unemployed and aimless, hovering between childhood and adult responsibilities. A year out of college, Tom can't land a decent job -- he still lives with his mother in Brooklyn. He receives a call from Ruth Abernathy (Barbara Hershey), who informs Tom that her son Bill, Tom's best friend in high school, has killed himself. She wants Tom to deliver the eulogy and serve as a pallbearer, and flustered, Tom agrees, though he has no recollection of Bill. After delivering a lackluster eulogy, Tom meets the grieving Ruth and begins an impulsive affair with her. He also encounters Julie DeMarco (Gwyneth Paltrow), a beautiful classmate for whom he's long carried a torch. Although Julie at first mistakes Tom for someone else, they begin dating, while he keeps his relationship with Ruth a secret. First-time writer-director Matt Reeves work-shopped the script for The Pallbearer with writing partner Jason Katims at the Sundance Institute. Reeves went on to create the TV series Felicity. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 37 min.
Directed By: Matt Reeves
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: May 3, 1996 Wide
On DVD: Apr 3, 2001
Studio: Miramax

Critic Reviews

Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
Oh God! Who told David Schwimmer he could act???
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
Nice little rip-off of 'The Graduate.' Actually holds up on its own.
Alex Keen, Trades
Not as bad as the title might suggest, maybe a bit too dark a comedy for most audiences. However, it still has some comedic blank spots.

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Featured Audience Ratings

♥˩ƳИИ &

Cast: David Schwimmer, Gwyneth Paltrow, Carol Kane, Toni Collette, Michael Rapaport, Barbara Hershey, Bitty Schram Director: Matt Reeves Summary: When Ruth Abernathy (Barbara Hershey) mistakes Tom Thompson (David Schwimmer) for someone else, Thompson ends up becoming a… More
Cast: David Schwimmer, Gwyneth Paltrow, Carol Kane, Toni Collette, Michael Rapaport, Barbara Hershey, Bitty Schram Director: Matt Reeves Summary: When Ruth Abernathy (Barbara Hershey) mistakes Tom Thompson (David Schwimmer) for someone else, Thompson ends up becoming a pallbearer at the funeral of her son -- a former high school classmate he doesn't even remember. Despite the fact that he's unemployed and living with his parents, Thompson convinces his old crush (Gwyneth Paltrow) to go out with him. Meanwhile, a sexual relationship develops between Thompson and Mrs. Abernathy. My Thoughts: "It's a mix of a comedy and a drama. David Schwimmer plays Tom Thompson, who is a push over. He feels obligated to do anything for anyone when he doesn't want to. But to spare their feelings, he does it anyway. His love interest Julie, is the same way. The story is interesting and you get involved with the characters, especially David's. You watch him kinda grow up in the film. He is 25, jobless, and living at home with his mother and sleeping in bunk beds. By the end of the film you feel like he has grown and matured into an adult. Great job by Matt Reeves. It's a movie worth seeing at least once."
Candy R

Case of mistaken identity.
Sunil J

The story is pretty limited and doesn't really go anywhere.
Leo L

A hilarious film.