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The Pallbearer

Play trailer Poster for The Pallbearer PG-13 1996 1h 37m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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48% Tomatometer 21 Reviews 19% 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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The Pallbearer

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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Critics Reviews

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Jason Bailey Flavorwire Aug 6, 2017
At its best, it sports a forgiving humanism - none of these people are all that bad, they're just wounded and needy and uncertain. Go to Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Jan 1, 2000
3/4
The director, Matt Reeves, has a master plan, and it's amazing how a movie with so many detours can arrive so convincingly at its destination. Go to Full Review Alison Macor Austin Chronicle Jan 1, 2000
3/5
The Pallbearer redeems itself through Paltrow's playing Julie as awkwardly as Schwimmer does Tom, and just as endearingly. Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews Apr 6, 2022
3/4
...the picture benefits substantially from its raft of agreeable elements... Go to Full Review Kevin Carr 7M Pictures Aug 12, 2005
1/5
Oh God! Who told David Schwimmer he could act??? Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Jun 17, 2005
C
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Audience Reviews

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Robert P @Superbad Sep 19, 2026 The Pallbearer stinks! See more Chill B @RT63187010 Mar 14, 2024 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. See more Aug 25, 2020 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 See more steve d @RT35616104 Jul 7, 2020 The charterers are unlikable and most of the jokes aren't funny. See more Sep 15, 2019 Marketing team really screwed this film over, but I accidentally stumbled upon it years after it was released and have adored it ever since. See more BowTangey M @BowTangey Dec 27, 2015 I never saw this film. I do not know how RT has a rating from me. See more Read all reviews
The Pallbearer

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Cast & Crew

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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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The Pallbearer

The Pallbearer (1996) The Pallbearer (1996) The Pallbearer (1996) View more photos

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
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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