THE PALLBEARER
A film review by Michael John Legeros
Copyright 1996 Michael John Legeros
(Mirimax)
Directed by Matt Reeves
Written by Jason Katims and Matt Reeves
Cast David Schwimmer, Gwyneth Paltrow, Michael Rapaport,
Barbara Hershey
MPAA Rating "PG-13"
Running Time 94 minutes
Reviewed at Carmike Cinemas, Raleigh, NC (4MAY96)
==
David Schwimmer (from the television series "Friends") stars as a sensitive (and slightly neurotic) single guy who gets more than he expected from the grieving mother (Barbara Hershey) of a classmate he can't remember. Hello Mrs. Robinson! Though quite cute as a romantic comedy, THE PALLBEARER is paced like a funeral march. The characters act, react, and interact at half-speed, making for one *excruciatingly* long sit. (And what's with the dreary lighting?) Co-writer/director Matt Reeves brings some snap to the story's midsection; the film briefly comes to life when our hero attempts to resolve his feelings for *another* classmate (a very appealing Gwyneth Paltrow). By this time, though, most viewers will have either fled or fallen asleep. Those tough souls who stay with it can marvel at the sleepy-eyed Schwimmer, a hound dog with a head cold, who can go for over an hour without ever changing his expression.
Grade: C-
--
Mike Legeros - Raleigh, NC
legeros@nando.net (h) - legeros@unx.sas.com (w)
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