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The Pallbearer (1996)
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Synopsis
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, All Movie Guide
Cast
Toni Collette
Cynthia
Barbara Hershey
Ruth Abernathy
Carol Kane
Tom's Mom
Gwyneth Paltrow
Julie Demarco
Michael Rapaport
Brad Schorr
David Schwimmer
Tom Thompson
Michael Vartan
Scott
Production Crew
Stephen Alesch
Art Director
Jon Herron
Camera Operator
Billy Hopkins
Casting
Kerry Barden
Casting
Suzanne Smith
Casting
Robert Elswit
Cinematographer
Jason Katims
Co-producer
Stewart Copeland
Composer (Music Score)
Donna Zakowska
Costume Designer
Matt Reeves
Director
Stan Salfas
Editor
Bob Weinstein
Executive Producer
Harvey Weinstein
Executive Producer
Meryl Poster
Executive Producer
Todd Pfeiffer
First Assistant Director
Nellie Nugiel
Line Producer
Peter Afterman
Musical Direction/Supervision
Jeffrey Abrams
Producer
Nellie Nugiel
Producer
Paul Webster
Producer
Robin Standefer
Production Designer
Jason Katims
Screenwriter
Matt Reeves
Screenwriter
Kate Yatsko
Set Designer
Stewart Copeland
Songwriter
Michael Barosky
Sound/Sound Designer
Year: 1996
Runtime: 97
Country: USA
MPAA Rating: PG13
for some sexuality and language
Category: Feature
Genre
Comedy
Produced by
Miramax
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