Just Friends (2005)

While visiting his hometown during Christmas, a man comes face-to-face with his old high school crush whom he was best friends with -- a woman whose rejection of him turned him into a ferocious womanizer.

Director:

Roger Kumble

Writer:

Adam 'Tex' Davis (as Adam Davis)

Stars:

Ryan Reynolds, Amy Smart, Anna Faris

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ryan Reynolds	...	Chris Brander
Amy Smart	...	Jamie Palamino
Anna Faris	...	Samantha James
Chris Klein	...	Dusty Dinkleman
Chris Marquette	...	Mike Brander (as Christopher Marquette)
Giacomo Beltrami	...	Young Mike Brander
Fred Ewanuick	...	Clark
Amy Matysio	...	Darla
Julie Hagerty	...	Carol Brander
Wendy Anderson	...	Mrs. Palamino
Barry Flatman	...	Mr. Palamino
Devyn Burant	...	Brett
Jaden Ryan	...	Joey
Annie Brebner	...	Sarah
Mike O'Brien	...	Hockey Dad

Storyline

Chris Brander has always been friends with Jamie Palamino, but now decides it is time to take his relationship to the next step. The problem is that Jamie still wants to be 'Just Friends'. When he runs away and moves to L.A., he becomes an attractive music manager, whom everyone wants. When his jet catches fire and is forced to land, when flying to Paris with his newest singing sensation, Samantha James, he ends up back home. To his surprise, he encounters Jamie again, and sets out to be more than 'Just Friends' this time.

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Plot Keywords:

friend zone | high school | best friend | christmas | new jersey | 

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Taglines:

Some friends are just friends. Others you get to see naked.

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexual content including some dialogue

Details

Country:

Germany USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 November 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Apenas Amigos

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$9,191,331, 27 November 2005

Gross USA:

$32,619,671, 9 February 2006

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$50,817,508

Company Credits

Production Co:

Inferno Distribution, Cinerenta Medienbeteiligungs KG, BenderSpink

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the theatrical trailer three women, Susan Ward, Mircea Monroe, and Natassia Malthe are featured displaying Chris Brander's bachelor lifestyle. This scene was in the original ending that was ultimately cut from the film. The original ending can be seen on the DVD in its entirety as a bonus feature. The same actresses also make a second appearance in the "Jamie Smiles" music video, which is also included on the DVD.

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Goofs

When Chris pushes Samantha in the car, her hair is kind of messed up and in the next shot its perfect again.

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Quotes

Chris: 'Simply Dusty'... is there no other kind?

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Crazy Credits

Chris (Ryan Reynolds) lip-syncs "I Swear" during the end credits.

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Connections

Referenced in Chelsea Lately: Episode #7.141 (2013)

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Soundtracks

Hackensack
Written by Adam Schlesinger and Chris Collingwood (as Christopher Collingwood)
Performed by Fountains of Wayne
Courtesy of Virgin Records
Under License from EMI Film & Television Music

User Reviews

Great Holiday Hit

I found this film to have great chemistry. They had Ryan Reynold, playing a former obese guy which i found particularly pecant, and Anna Ferris as a creepy, "Paris Hilton" stalker, which was great because she added a lot of comedy to the film. Also the gags were classic, and reminded me of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, which is one of my favorites, not to mention being somewhat similar to Van Wilder, in its attempt to Woo a woman while having a "nemesis" in the way of his goal along with Ryan's own personal problems with his past, and dealing with his brother, his "former" crazed girlfriend, and his out of touch mom (just kind of naive to things going on). All in all, i found this movie to be a great comedy that i would like to see again at the theaters. Its a classic holiday flick in my opinion.