The Pallbearer Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A guy who doesn’t know a dead person pretends to be their best friend, sleeps with the mom, and tries to date Gwyneth Paltrow, all while wearing questionable sweaters.

🍿 The Pallbearer: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Unexpected Funeral Duty

Tom Thompson, a recent college graduate struggling to find his way, receives a call from a woman named Ruth Abernathy, who mistakenly believes he was close to her recently deceased son, Bill. Pressured by politeness and a desire to avoid confrontation, Tom agrees to be a pallbearer at the funeral, despite having no memory of Bill. This sets off a chain of awkward events, as Tom attempts to fulfill his pallbearer duties while grappling with the guilt of pretending to mourn someone he doesn’t know. The situation becomes further complicated by the return of Julie DeMarco, Tom’s high school crush, adding romantic tension to the already bizarre scenario.

Romantic Entanglements

As Tom navigates the funeral and its aftermath, he finds himself drawn to Julie, who is also struggling with her own life choices. Meanwhile, Ruth, grieving and vulnerable, develops an attraction to Tom, leading to an unexpected and uncomfortable affair. Tom is now caught between his long-standing infatuation with Julie and the unexpected emotional and physical connection with Ruth. He struggles to balance these relationships while maintaining the charade surrounding his connection to the deceased Bill.

Eulogy Gone Wrong

Tasked with delivering a eulogy for Bill, a person Tom doesn’t remember, he resorts to constructing a speech based on vague memories and assumptions. The eulogy becomes a cringeworthy display of insincerity, further highlighting Tom’s disconnect from the situation. The awkwardness of the eulogy intensifies the comedy while revealing Tom’s character flaws, highlighting his passivity and tendency to avoid confrontation, ultimately making the situation more complex.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Tom Thompson (David Schwimmer): A directionless recent graduate is mistaken for a close friend of a deceased classmate and finds himself entangled in awkward relationships and responsibilities.
• Julie DeMarco (Gwyneth Paltrow): Tom’s long-time high school crush returns to town, stirring up unresolved feelings and complicating his already chaotic life.
• Ruth Abernathy (Barbara Hershey): The grieving mother of the deceased, who mistakes Tom for her son’s best friend, leading to an unexpected and complex relationship.
• Brad Schorr (Michael Rapaport): Tom’s friend, navigating his own life changes with an upcoming wedding and offering support to Tom amidst his challenges.
• Tom’s Mother (Carol Kane): Tom’s well-meaning but somewhat overbearing mother provides a constant presence in his life as he struggles to find his way.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Tom: “I just feel like I’m supposed to be doing something, and I’m not.” – Reflects Tom’s sense of aimlessness and lack of direction in his life after graduation.
• Julie: “I have to leave.” – Recurring line emphasizing Julie’s desire to escape her current life and find something more fulfilling.
• Tom’s Mother: “I only wanted to see if you wanted some ice cream.” – Highlights the awkward dynamic between Tom and his mother, underscoring his arrested development.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $8,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $5,656,388
• Worldwide Gross: $5,656,388

💥 The Pallbearer Reviews

Personal Review

I went into *The Pallbearer* expecting a lighthearted comedy, but it turned out to be a bit more melancholic than I anticipated. Seeing David Schwimmer outside of *Friends* was interesting, but his character’s constant awkwardness got a little tiresome. Gwyneth Paltrow was charming, and the soundtrack had some great tunes, but overall, the movie felt a bit aimless. There was a scene where Tom delivers the eulogy, and you could just feel the dread in the room, its dark humor was on point!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of David Schwimmer and Gwyneth Paltrow”
  • “Viewers who enjoy dark comedies and dramedies”
  • “People interested in films exploring awkward social situations”
  • “Fans of movies with a ’90s aesthetic”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Brief language”
  • “Themes of grief and loss”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “A muddled mix of dark comedy and romantic angst, *The Pallbearer* struggles to find its footing, leaving audiences unsure whether to laugh or sympathize with David Schwimmer’s awkward protagonist. Paltrow is underused, adding to the film’s overall unevenness.
• Metacritic: “*The Pallbearer* aims for a quirky charm akin to *The Graduate*, but ultimately falls short. Schwimmer’s performance, while earnest, lacks the necessary depth, and the film’s pacing feels sluggish, preventing it from truly connecting with viewers.
• IMDB: “Offers some amusement and a few chuckles but overall, falls flat. David Schwimmer does a decent job playing his role as Tom. Gwyneth Paltrow on the other hand, is OK.

Audience Reactions

The quirky humor and awkward situations made the movie relatable.: Viewers appreciated the blend of comedy and drama, although some found the pacing slow.

The soundtrack captured the mood perfectly and the eclectic song choices enhanced the film’s charm.: Fans enjoyed the soundtrack and it being described as the one of the movie’s best features.

Overall Consensus: A mixed bag of dark humor and romantic angst, *The Pallbearer* has its moments but ultimately fails to deliver a consistently engaging experience.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was directed by Matt Reeves, who later went on to direct ‘Cloverfield’ and ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’.”
• “J.J. Abrams served as a producer on ‘The Pallbearer’; it was one of his early production credits.”
• “The film draws many parallels to ‘The Graduate’, with plot elements involving a young man, an older woman, and unrequited love.”
• “Carol Kane, who plays Tom’s mother, is known for her quirky and memorable character roles in films like ‘Annie Hall’ and ‘The Princess Bride’.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Pallbearer?

Currently, “The Pallbearer” is available for purchase or rental on various digital platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your preferred streaming service for availability, as options may vary by region. The movie is not typically included in subscription services, making individual purchase or rental the primary viewing method.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Pallbearer, you might like these similar films:

• The Graduate (1967): Shares a similar plot structure with a young man caught between an older woman and a younger woman he is truly interested in.
• Reality Bites (1994): Captures the disillusionment and uncertainty of post-college life in the 1990s, with characters struggling to find their place in the world.
• Garden State (2004): Features a young man returning to his hometown and reconnecting with old friends while grappling with his past and future.

🛒 The Pallbearer Related Products

• The Graduate (Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A restored edition of *The Graduate*, a classic film with similar themes, offers a chance to explore the original story that inspired some elements of *The Pallbearer*.
• David Schwimmer Signed Autograph Friends Photo: A signed photo of David Schwimmer as Ross, makes for a unique addition to any collection. The autograph is guaranteed authentic.
• Gwyneth Paltrow – Shakespeare in Love [Blu-ray]: Another movie starring Gwyneth Paltrow during her acting prime! A must have for fans.
• Movie Poster: Movie poster for The Pallbearer.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Pallbearer features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Viva Tirado – Part I” – performed by El Chicano
• “I’m Getting Tired of You” – performed by Perry Como
• “The Maker” – performed by Daniel Lanois
• “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” – performed by Richie Havens

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

I’m Your Huckleberry History / Curious To Know

Ever wondered what Doc Holiday *really* meant when he said ‘I’m your huckleberry’ in Tombstone? This video breaks down the history and meaning behind that famous line. It’s actually pretty interesting!

✨ Rate