The Pallbearer (1996)
-
42% of critics liked it
(19 reviews) -
14% of users liked it
(8,227 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
- 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.
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)
Featured Audience Ratings
Also available on
UltraViolet Retailers
Other Retailers
Subscription Services
Cast
-
David Schwimmer
as Tom Thompson
-
Gwyneth Paltrow
as Julie Demarco
-
Michael Rapaport
as Brad Schorr
-
Barbara Hershey
as Ruth Abernathy
-
Carol Kane
as Tom's Mom
-
Toni Collette
as Cynthia
-
Michael Vartan
as Scott
-
Jean De Baer
as Suzanne DeMarco
-
Mark Margolis
as Philip DeMarco
-
Bitty Schram
as Lauren
-
Matthew Faber
as Jared
-
Greg Grunberg
as Abernathy Cousin
-
Edoardo Ballerini
as Job Interviewer
-
Robin Moore
as Sylvie