The Pallbearer

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The Pallbearer

PG-13

1996

1h 37m

Comedy

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

48%

Tomatometer

21 Reviews

18%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

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.

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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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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

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B

Sep 7, 2011

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Alison Macor

Austin Chronicle

The Pallbearer redeems itself through Paltrow's playing Julie as awkwardly as Schwimmer does Tom, and just as endearingly.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 1, 2000

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...the picture benefits substantially from its raft of agreeable elements...

Rated: 3/4

Apr 6, 2022

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Kevin Carr

7M Pictures

Oh God! Who told David Schwimmer he could act???

Rated: 1/5

Aug 12, 2005

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: C

Jun 17, 2005

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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

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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

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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

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steve d

The charterers are unlikable and most of the jokes aren't funny.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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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

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Audience Member

I never saw this film. I do not know how RT has a rating from me.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

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Matt Reeves

Director

David Schwimmer

Tom Thompson

Gwyneth Paltrow

Julie DeMarco

Michael Rapaport

Brad Schorr

Toni Collette

Cynthia

Carol Kane

Tom's Mother

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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: J.J. Abrams, Paul Webster
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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