The Pallbearer
| The Pallbearer | |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Matt Reeves |
| Produced by |
J.J. Abrams (as Jeffrey Abrams) Paul Webster |
| Written by | Matt Reeves Jason Katims |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Stewart Copeland |
| Cinematography | Robert Elswit |
| Edited by | Stan Salfas |
| Distributed by | Miramax Films |
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Release date
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Running time
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98 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $8 million |
| Box office | $5.7 million |
The Pallbearer is a 1996 American romantic comedy film co-written and directed by Matt Reeves and starring David Schwimmer, Gwyneth Paltrow, Toni Collette, Michael Vartan, Michael Rapaport, and Barbara Hershey. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1996 Cannes Film Festival.
Tom Thompson (David Schwimmer) is a 25-year-old man who sleeps in a bunk bed and lives with his mother. One day Tom is contacted by his high school classmate's mother, Ruth Abernathy (Barbara Hershey), to tell him that his 'best friend,' Bill Abernathy, committed suicide, and is asked to give a eulogy at the funeral. Tom does not remember his friend, but out of sympathy attends the funeral as a pallbearer. While Ruth struggles with her loss and Tom with his supposedly failed memory, the two develop a romance. Meanwhile, Tom's unrequited high school crush, Julie DeMarco (Gwyneth Paltrow), re-enters his life.
At Abernathy's funeral, Tom's vague and impersonal eulogy confuses the Abernathy family and amuses Tom's friends. Julie, upset at their lack of respect, tries to leave as the pallbearers carry Bill's coffin out of the church. Tom, as one of the pallbearers, drags the coffin and the rest of the pallbearers after Julie. He asks her if she knew Bill, since she cried when she saw him in the coffin. She replies that she did not know Bill, but was saddened by the image of Bill in the coffin. Tom asks Julie out for coffee still holding up Bill's coffin. Bill's relatives, upset about Tom's indifference towards Bill, forcefully relieve him of his duty as a pallbearer. Visibly upset, Ruth states that Tom is in Bill's will.
Afterwards, Tom calls Julie about the coffee date and tries to hide that he lives with his mother. Julie asks if Scott and Cynthia can come along for a double date. Tom inherits Bill's car in Abernathy's will. It is the same one Bill used to commit suicide. During dinner with Scott and Cynthia, it is apparent that Julie and Scott have more in common and listen to the same musicians. Conversation between Tom and Julie is stilted and awkward, while Scott slips up and reveals that Tom still lives with his mother.
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