The Groomsmen (2006)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

Edward Burns

Writer (WGA):

Edward Burns (written by)

Release Date:

22 September 2006 (Spain)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Music | Romance

Tagline:

There's a difference between getting older and growing up.

Plot:

A groom (Ed Burns) and his four attendants wrestle with issues related to friendship and maturity a week before the big day.

Plot Keywords:

Irish Catholic | Puma T Shirt | Trophy | Motor Boat | Bachelor Party

Cast

Edward Burns	...	Paulie
Heather Burns	...	Jules
John Leguizamo	...	TC
Matthew Lillard	...	Dez Howard
Donal Logue	...	Jimbo
Jay Mohr	...	Cousin Mike Sullivan
Brittany Murphy	...	Sue
Shari Albert	...	Tina Howard
Jessica Capshaw	...	Jen
Spencer Fox	...	Little Jack
Kevin Kash	...	Strip Club MC
Amy Leonard	...	Crystal
Arthur J. Nascarella	...	Mr. B (as Arthur Nascarella)
John F. O'Donohue	...	Pops (as John O'Donohue)
Joe Pistone	...	Top Cat

MPAA:

Rated R for pervasive language and brief nudity.

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R | Australia:M | Finland:K-11 | Argentina:16 | Netherlands:6

Filming Locations:

City Island, Bronx, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Marlboro Road Gang Productions

Trivia:

In the last bar scene with Ed Burns and Mathew Lillard, Burns is wearing a t-shirt saying "Up & Down Club" - which is the Jazz club his wife Christy Turlington owned with her sister Erin back in San Francisco. The club had a good run from 1994 till 1999.

Quotes:

Jimbo: And I'm the center fielder, bitch!

Movie Connections:

References "Little House on the Prairie" (1974)

Soundtrack:

Your Frozen Heart

A true 10 out of 10 - A+++

Full disclosure, I loved every one of the films Ed Burns has written/directed. I'm not blind to the fact that Burns and I are about the same age and from the same part of the country. My friends and I are in closer tune with his themes, etc.

But there is something bigger going on here:

1. Burns ability to make such great films on such small budgets, is like the team in baseball with the lowest payroll making the playoffs. He does more with less. I couldn't believe that this one was 3 million which I found out after watching.

2. He gets more out of actors than most directors. The Groomsmen is an example of that. A lot may have to do with the long shots of scenes that are amazing. Actors can actually act and he lets them be "the talent" as much as he is as w/d.

3. Funny and dramatic and deep and loving and special. All his films have this, but Groomsman is "extra" all of these things.

In this already special body of work Burns has, Groomsman stands out. I loved them all, but this one is special. See it right away.

One other thing.... When the film ended the first thing I thought was that Donal Logue should win an Oscar for his performance in this film. I was happy when watching the director's commentary that Burns raved about his acting. Everyone in The Groomsman was great, but he was superb.