It's been a year since Tom Thompson (David Schwimmer) graduated but he's still struggling to start his career in architecture. He lives with his mother (Carol Kane) in Brooklyn. Ruth Abernathy (Barbara Hershey) calls telling him about his high school best friend and her son Bill's suicide. She wants him to give the eulogy but he doesn't remember him. He agrees to a pallbearer anyways. His friends Brad Schorr (Michael Rapaport) and Scott (Michael Vartan) don't remember Bill either. Scott's engaged to Cynthia (Toni Collette). At their party, she invited Tom's secret high school crush Julie DeMarco (Gwyneth Paltrow). Lauren (Bitty Schram) is Brad's volatile girlfriend.This movie hits on a false note from the start. Schwimmer's pathetic persona is not always appealing. This time, he's something off. He needs to get rid of his hang dog expression and stop doing his Friends sit-com comedy bit. He's sad and a little creepy. It's annoying. Any attempt at humor only backfires to highlight the awkwardness of this movie. There are multiple issues including sleeping with Ruth. It makes an unappealing character even worst. I actually wish that Tom had brain damage which would explain him forgetting about being Bill's best friend.

I feel fairly certain that had i watched this movie on video or in the theater it certainly would have been better. Unfortunately i saw it on cable with commercials defiling all the tension built up by a dramatic scene.***** spoiler ****** They almost lost me at the funeral scene. I simply could not get past the laugher of Tom's friends (aren't they in their 20's and NOT in their teens? ). I didn't find the scene funny but rather pathetic. Besides was Tom such a moron as to not be able to come up with any traditional things to say to the bereaved ? Perhaps its me, but I'm certain i could give a eulogy for anyone's funeral without problem while winging it the whole way.. Just think of positive adjectives (kind, caring, sweet, generous, thoughtful, smart, funny, witty, ...etc) then apply them to the deceased. And just take a pause to think between each set of compliments. Besides if he knew he was going to have do to this why not at least try to think of something ! The writers really dropped the ball on this one. Or they did a really good job of not being funny.Fortunately Paltrow's pretty face kept me around to see more of the film. Overall i think some of the drama of the film made it worth watching. Ironically, it was billed as a romantic comedy because I'm pretty sure i didn't laugh even once.6.5 stars out of 10

This film is about a college graduate whose life is a mess. She gets a surprise invitation to a funeral and met 2 women who would become important in his life.David Schwimmer's character was not developed in a way to make him likable. He seemed sad and radiated negative energy throughout. The film would be so much better if his character was more positive. After all, people who goes to see a movie, especially a romantic comedy, wants to feel good.Gwyneth Paltrow, on the other hand, was developed to be a likable, ordinary girl. however, I felt that she was underused in this film. Well, this may be because she was yet to be famous when this film was made. Ms Abernathy, played by Barbara Hershey, was very well portrayed. I don't recall seeing her before. Her face, especially her eyes, reminded me of Jessica Lange.The story was not so likable, and the name of the film might put people off watching it. If it had another title and a more uplifting script, this could have been a great film.

I loved "Friends," I love Michael Rappaport and I love Michael Vartan even more. . .yet I could barely sit through this dreadful film. (I gave it a 5/10 only because it's two hours of staring at Michael Vartan and I'm jonesing for Alias Season 5, so I'll do anything to stare at Not!Vaughn.) The characters are wholly unlikeable, the plot is outrageously ridiculous and Gwyneth Paltrow's admirable acting chops are utterly wasted in this awful excuse for a film.To be very frank, I'm not really sure what any of them were thinking when they decided to sign on for this film. Michael Rappaport in particular is a fabulous character actor. This film did solve one mystery: how Michael Rappaport and Michael Vartan won their fabulous guest spots on "Friends."