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      The Pallbearer

      PG-13 1996 1h 37m Comedy Drama List
      48% 21 Reviews Tomatometer 18% 5,000+ Ratings Audience Score Aspiring architect Tom Thompson (David Schwimmer) is told by mysterious Ruth Abernathy (Barbara Hershey) that his best friend, "Bill," has taken his own life. Except that Tom has never met Bill and neither have his incredulous friends. So when Tom foolishly agrees to give the eulogy at Bill's funeral, it sets him on a collision course with Ruth -- who is revealed to be Bill's oversexed mother -- and Julie DeMarco (Gwyneth Paltrow), the longtime crush Tom hasn't seen since they were teens. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Nov 29 Buy Now

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      The Pallbearer

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      Critics Consensus

      Between a dark comedy and a romantic one, The Pallbearer confounds, and David Schwimmer's puppy dog eyes can't save the procession from going six feet under.

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      Audience Reviews

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      Chill B The divided opinions on this movie are a sure sign that we have something interesting to look at here. There is some dark humor. To the people that take life incredibly seriously, this will be a turn off. And regarding the humor, I will argue this: there are plenty of moments that show that the primary goal of this movie wasn't to make fun of serious topics, but rather show how forgiveness and honesty are crucial to understanding each other as human beings when serious things happen. And the movie delivers that theme with just about each and every character. The movie is gut-bustingly comical along the way (in my opinion). Despite its imperfections in delivering some plot points more than others, the feelings come across all the same throughout the story. As a 26 year-old man searching for my bearing and purpose in life, constantly faced with the universally human themes of romance, friendship, sexuality, survival and self-fulfillment, this movie gave me a moment to realize that it's ok to be unsure about every detail, and more important to forgive myself and those around me for mistakes that are made as we all try to get by. Loved Gwyneth, Barbara, and everyone else. Of course I'm going to give 5 stars to a funny movie with good acting that made me feel something vibrant and cathartic. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/14/24 Full Review Alain M this is actually a true disaster, Ross is ok as a character on Friends, it doesn't work in a movie like this Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 06/28/23 Full Review Audience Member Everyone is flawed, broken and with the hangups they had in high school; more of a tragicomedy than a dramedy; Schwimmer plays his character who crawls towards improvement well with an able Paltrow and determined Hershey Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review steve d The charterers are unlikable and most of the jokes aren't funny. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Marketing team really screwed this film over, but I accidentally stumbled upon it years after it was released and have adored it ever since. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review anthony b Long before Cloverfield, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and Let Me In, writer/director Matt Reeves gave us the Pallbearer, a film that has no right being as good as it is. It is surprisingly smart, funny, and real thanks to Reeves' unconventional approach, which makes it one of the best rom-coms of the 90s. Unfortunately, like Reeves himself, the Pallbearer will forever be underrated. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      The Pallbearer

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      Critics Reviews

      View All (21) Critics Reviews
      Jason Bailey Flavorwire At its best, it sports a forgiving humanism - none of these people are all that bad, they're just wounded and needy and uncertain. Aug 6, 2017 Full Review Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly Rated: B Sep 7, 2011 Full Review James Berardinelli ReelViews Rated: 2/4 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...the picture benefits substantially from its raft of agreeable elements... Rated: 3/4 Apr 6, 2022 Full Review Kevin Carr 7M Pictures Oh God! Who told David Schwimmer he could act??? Rated: 1/5 Aug 12, 2005 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: C Jun 17, 2005 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis Aspiring architect Tom Thompson (David Schwimmer) is told by mysterious Ruth Abernathy (Barbara Hershey) that his best friend, "Bill," has taken his own life. Except that Tom has never met Bill and neither have his incredulous friends. So when Tom foolishly agrees to give the eulogy at Bill's funeral, it sets him on a collision course with Ruth -- who is revealed to be Bill's oversexed mother -- and Julie DeMarco (Gwyneth Paltrow), the longtime crush Tom hasn't seen since they were teens.
      Director
      Matt Reeves
      Producer
      Meryl Poster, Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein
      Screenwriter
      Jason Katims, Matt Reeves
      Production Co
      Miramax
      Rating
      PG-13
      Genre
      Comedy, Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Apr 14, 2016
      Box Office (Gross USA)
      $5.7M
      Runtime
      1h 37m
      Sound Mix
      Surround
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