The Pallbearer (1996)

Director:

Matt Reeves

Writers (WGA):

Jason Katims (written by) &
Matt Reeves (written by)

Release Date:

3 May 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

A comedy about life-long crushes, mistaken identity and one really bad eulogy.

Plot:

A young man's life is thrown into a loop when he is asked to be a pallbearer for the funeral of a classmate he doesn't remember, and his old high school crush temporarily returns to town.

Plot Keywords:

Mistaken Identity | Roller Coaster | Independent Film

Cast

David Schwimmer	...	Tom Thompson
Gwyneth Paltrow	...	Julie DeMarco
Michael Rapaport	...	Brad Schorr
Toni Collette	...	Cynthia
Carol Kane	...	Tom's Mother
Michael Vartan	...	Scott
Bitty Schram	...	Lauren
Jean De Baer	...	Suzanne DeMarco
Elizabeth Franz	...	Aunt Lucille
Mark Margolis	...	Philip DeMarco
Barbara Hershey	...	Ruth Abernathy
Edoardo Ballerini	...	The Job Interviewer
Matthew Faber	...	Jared
Robin Morse	...	Sylvie
Tony Machine	...	The Undertaker
Robert Katims	...	An Abernathy Cousin
Greg Grunberg	...	An Abernathy Cousin
David Vadim	...	An Abernathy Cousin
Zak Orth	...	An Abernathy Cousin
Kevin Corrigan	...	A Pallbearer
Joe D'Onofrio	...	A Pallbearer (as Joseph D'Onofrio)
John A. Mudd	...	A Pallbearer (as John Mudd)
Eric Morace	...	A Pallbearer
Marnie Pomerantz	...	Roller Coaster Rider
George Masters	...	Maitre D'
Todd Schrenk	...	The Other Tom
Rabbi Dr. Joel Y. Zion	...	Rabbi (as Rabbi Joel Zion)
George Katt	...	Wedding Guest
Gwen Goldsmith	...	Wedding Guest
Sal Maneri	...	Wedding Guest
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
John D. Bair	...	Groomsman (uncredited)

Directed by
Matt Reeves

Writing credits (WGA)
Jason Katims		(written by) &
Matt Reeves		(written by)

Produced by
J.J. Abrams	....	producer (as Jeffrey Abrams)
Jason Katims	....	co-producer
Nellie Nugiel	....	line producer
Meryl Poster	....	executive producer
Paul Webster	....	producer
Bob Weinstein	....	executive producer
Harvey Weinstein	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Stewart Copeland

Cinematography by
Robert Elswit

Film Editing by
Stan Salfas

Casting by
Kerry Barden
Billy Hopkins
Suzanne Smith

Production Design by
Robin Standefer

Art Direction by
Stephen Alesch

Set Decoration by
Kate Yatsko

Costume Design by
Donna Zakowska

Makeup Department
Joseph Coscia	....	additional hair stylist (as Joe Coscia)
William A. Farley	....	key hair stylist (as Bill Farley)
Janet Garr	....	additional makeup artist
Allen Weisinger	....	key makeup artist

Production Management
Leslie A. Leitner	....	post-production supervisor (as Leslie Leitner)
Mari-Jo Winkler	....	production manager
Rick Dallago	....	production manager: Los Angeles (uncredited)
Victoria McGarry	....	production manager: New York reshoots (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Cindy Craig	....	second second assistant director
Jude Gorjanc	....	second assistant director
Todd Pfeiffer	....	first assistant director (as Todd R. Pfeiffer)
Jeffrey Lazar	....	additional first assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
Joseph Badalucco Jr.	....	assistant property master
Anthony Baldasare	....	set dresser
John Canterella	....	art department coordinator (as John Cantarella)
John Davis	....	storyboard artist
Bronwen Epstein	....	art department production assistant
Fry Karins	....	stand-by scenic
Robin Koenig	....	lead man
Kevin Mahon	....	set dresser
Teresa Mastropierro	....	scenic artist
Jeff Mazzola	....	property master (as Jeff 'Baby' Mazzola)
Addison Pettit	....	construction coordinator
Mike Platarote Jr.	....	assistant props
Jeffrey Rollins	....	set dresser
Rob Walsh	....	art department production assistant

Sound Department
David W. Alstadter	....	foley mixer
Dana Austin	....	adr recordist (as Dana Johnson-Porter)
Michael Barosky	....	sound mixer
Larry Blake	....	supervising sound editor
Patricia Brolsma	....	boom operator
Chris David	....	sound re-recording mixer
Robert Deschaine	....	adr mixer (as Bob Deschaine)
David Diamond	....	boom operator: second unit
John Dunn	....	sound editor
Aaron Glascock	....	sound assistant (as Aaron Glasscock)
Avram D. Gold	....	sound editor
Robin Haskins	....	foley recordist
John Hulsman	....	sound editor
Robin Johnston	....	stage recordist
Pamela Kahn	....	foley artist (as Pamela Nedd Kahn)
Paul Massey	....	sound re-recording mixer
Rick Mitchell	....	sound editor
Art Schiro	....	stage recordist
Micah Solomon	....	boom operator
Alicia Stevenson	....	foley artist
David A. Whittaker	....	sound editor
James Wright	....	stereo sound consultant: Dolby

Stunts
G.A. Aguilar	....	stunt coordinator (as George Augustus Aguilar)
Tyrin Benoit	....	stunts
Donald John Hewitt	....	stunts (as Don J. Hewitt Jr.)

Camera and Electrical Department
Angelo Di Giacomo	....	first assistant camera (as Angelo DiGiacomo)
John Donohue	....	dolly grip
James W. Finnerty	....	key grip
Jamie Gallagher	....	generator operator
Timothy Healy	....	electrician
Jonathan Herron	....	camera operator (as Jon Herron)
Gary Hildebrand	....	best boy electric
Tom Kerwick	....	best boy grip
Jonathan Lumley	....	gaffer
John Mazzola	....	grip
Kevin McMahon	....	grip
Andy Niceberg	....	electrician
Katherine Ruppe	....	second assistant camera (as Katherine T. Ruppe)
Chris Sferrazza	....	assistant camera
William M. Weberg	....	grip (as William Weberg)
Barry Wetcher	....	still photographer
Chris Hayes	....	camera operator (uncredited)

Casting Department
Karen E. Etcoff	....	extras casting (as Karen Etcoff)
Barbara Harris	....	adr voice casting

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Renata Chaplynsky	....	wardrobe buyer
Sarah Edwards	....	assistant costume designer
Cheryl Kilbourne-Kimpton	....	wardrobe supervisor
Jane E. Myers	....	wardrobe supervisor

Editorial Department
Charles Bunn	....	second assistant editor: Los Angeles (as Charles R. Bunn)
Gary Burritt	....	negative cutter
David V. Butler	....	post-production coordinator
Johanna Groepl	....	second assistant editor: Los Angeles
Dan Muscarella	....	color timer
Craig Nisker	....	first assistant editor: New York
Kevin Nolting	....	first assistant editor: Los Angeles
Jae Pak	....	post-production assistant: New York
Melanie Ryder	....	second assistant editor: New York
Sarah Sullivan	....	post-production assistant: Los Angeles
Clarinda Wong	....	first assistant editor: Los Angeles

Music Department
Peter Afterman	....	music supervisor
Stewart Copeland	....	musician: percussion
Michael Dittrick	....	music editor
Dan Garde	....	music editor: temp music
Jill Meyers	....	music business affairs
Judd Miller	....	musician: EVI
Jeff Seitz	....	music mixer
Jeff Seitz	....	music recordist
Jeff Seitz	....	musician: percussion
Michael Thompson	....	musician: guitar
Sharyn M. Tylk	....	assistant music editor (as Sharyn Tylk)
Elizabeth Wendel	....	associate music supervisor

Transportation Department
Timothy P. Cassella	....	driver
Tom Fennimore	....	driver (as Thomas Fennimore)
David Lenhart	....	driver
Joe Mallon	....	driver
Brian Maxwell	....	transportation captain
George Nadramia Jr.	....	driver
Vincent Nebbia	....	driver
Donald Sweeney	....	transportation co-captain
Daniel Young Jr.	....	driver

Other crew
Brooks Baldwin	....	dialect coach
Craig Bankey	....	unit publicist
Donna L. Bascom	....	legal services (as Donna L. Bascom esq.)
Jenny Beresford	....	set production assistant
James Bigwood	....	production consultant
Tracey Bing	....	assistant: Mr. Webster (as Tracey Nicole Bing)
Lisa Bowman	....	set production assistant
Sarah Brandston	....	set production assistant
Jeanne Brennan	....	production coordinator
Allison Emmert	....	production secretary
Bronwen Epstein	....	researcher
Patricia Forrest	....	travel arrangements: Adventure Express (as Pat Forrest)
Gina Francis	....	looping group
Jennifer Gerould	....	set production assistant (as Jenn Gerould)
Ellen Goldin	....	craft service: Cecil B. De Meal Inc.
Lynn Goldman	....	production auditor
Marlus Harding	....	set production assistant (as Marlus C. Harding)
Jay Horne	....	assistant location manager (as Jeff 'Jay' Horne)
Jon M. Johnson	....	parking coordinator (as Jon Johnson)
Chanda Kochie	....	assistant: Ms. Paltrow
Stephanie Lane	....	assistant accountant
Lauren Mattson	....	office production assistant
Gretchen McGowan	....	assistant accountant
Andy Muller	....	assistant: Mr. Reeves
Pepper O'Brien	....	assistant accountant
Julie Oppenheimer	....	script supervisor
Jennifer L. Pearlman	....	set production assistant
Stephanie Post Pollard	....	assistant: Mr. Copeland
Tiffany Roquemore-Delorme	....	assistant: Mr. Abrams (as Tiffany Rocquemore)
Tracy Rosen	....	assistant production coordinator (as Tracy E. Abrams)
Nancy L. Roth	....	location manager (as Nancy Roth)
Andrew Saxe	....	assistant location manager
Darren Setlow	....	location assistant
Jamie Sheridan	....	office production assistant
Joe Violante	....	dailies advisor: Technicolor
Jeff Wadlow	....	office production assistant (as Jeffrey Clark Wadlow)
April L. Brooks	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Hunter Cain	....	office assistant: Los Angeles (uncredited)
Betty Chin	....	production coordinator: New York re-shoots (uncredited)
Julie B. Crane	....	production coordinator: Los Angeles (uncredited)
Doris Del Castillo	....	production assistant (uncredited)
John D. Genovese	....	production assistant: re-shoots (uncredited)
Steve Ginsburg	....	production assistant: re-shoots (uncredited)
Dana Gottlieb	....	production assistant: re-shoots (uncredited)
Sherry Greenberg	....	temp production coordinator (uncredited)
Ray McCort	....	helicopter pilot (uncredited)
Michael McKenna	....	production assistant: re-shoots (uncredited)
Katreniah L. Washington	....	assistant: Ms. Nugiel (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Miramax Films
• The Chess Club

Distributors

• Laurenfilm (Spain)
• Miramax Films (also video)

Other Companies

• Hollywood Records  soundtrack
• Micdi Productions  music editorial
• Miramax Records  soundtrack

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some sexuality and language.

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:M | Brazil:14 | Finland:K-12 | Portugal:M/12 | South Korea:18 | Spain:7 | Sweden:7 | USA:PG-13 | UK:12 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Cypress Hills Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Miramax Films

Trivia:

The roller coaster Tom and Julie ride is actually the Blue Streak, which is located at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio.

Goofs:

Continuity: When the mother is making instant coffee, the jar label is turned between shots.

Quotes:

Brad Schorr: Did you have sex with the dead guy's mother?
Tom: Don't make a big deal out of it!
Brad Schorr: Did you tell Scott?

Often overlooked, but delightful film

Maybe it was the great, eclectic soundtrack with the likes of Django Reinhardt, Herbie Hancock, Perry Como, Curtis Mayfield, Neil Young and Richie Havens, or maybe it was the dark and subtle bits of humor that pleasantly surprised me throughout the movie, but I really enjoyed this one.

We meet Tom, a forlorn twenty-something man-child still living at home and struggling to take control of his life, played by David Schwimmer of "Friends" fame. Tom gets a call from a woman who mistakenly believes he knew her recently deceased son. He goes along with it, presumably to save her the added grief of knowing her son had no close friends. Of course, Tom's accommodating nature backfires and he's asked to give the eulogy for a man he never knew. This sets up a scene with the kind of dark humor seen throughout the movie that audiences are either delighted with or immediately turned off by.

At the funeral, Tom meets Julie, his unrequited high school crush, played with genuine emotion and winsome grace by Gwyneth Paltrow. Thus begins two relationships that play out over the duration of the film --one with Grace, the bereft mother of the friend Tom never had, played by Barbara Hershey, and the other with Julie.

Yes, this movie owes much, in terms of plot and characters, to "The Graduate," with Hershey playing the counterpart to Anne Bancroft's Mrs. Robinson. But it turns out to be much more than just an update of the '60s classic. The audience really gets to know the inner turmoil both Tom and Julie are going through -- Tom, both for the guilt of becoming unwittingly involved with Grace, and for also being involved with Julie at the same time, and Julie, for being torn between striking out on her own to escape her overbearing parents and getting into a deep relationship with Tom.

There are a couple of sideplots going on with Tom's friends -- Michael Rapaport's character getting married to a woman his friends don't like, and Michael Vardan's married character, making a move on Julie, which obviously infuriates Tom. And Carol Kane as Tom's mom, is precious. In one scene, he is livid after she bursts into his room unannounced. After she receives a brief scolding for not knocking, she replies "I only wanted to see if you wanted some ice cream," to which he replies "A little."

Schwimmer nails the role, with his underplayed, tacit sadness about his so-far-failed attempt at making a responsible life for himself. And Paltrow, well, can she ever miss? Whether for the dark humor, spot-on acting, or superb soundtrack, this one is definitely worth a viewing.