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

The little girl hockey player that wanted to fight Chris was actually played by a boy.

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Goofs

When Chris is writing a message in Jaime's yearbook, you can see a New Jersey Nets logo. The logo shown is their current logo, which was not used in 1995 when scene takes place.

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Quotes

Chris' Mom: Dusty, what kind of car is this?
Dusty: Carol, this little Japanese princess here is called the Prius.
Chris' Mom: I think it's so neat that you kids care about the environment.
Chris: I love the environment.
Chris' Mom: But honey, don't you drive a Range Rover? Aren't those bad?
Chris: [pause] Well, I had a really nice time tonight, and I hope we can do it again soon. Hey, Dusty, thanks for comin'.
Dusty: Oh, listen, man, it was my pleasure, really. Thank you all for having me. It was so nice.
[Chris takes out his retainer]
Dusty: And hey, before I ...

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Crazy Credits

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

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Connections

Referenced in One Hit Wonderland: Just a Friend by Biz Markie (2014)

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Soundtracks

Greensleeves
Traditional

User Reviews

characters are an unlikeable pathetic mess.

Chris Brander (Ryan Reynolds) is an overweight teen and he's in love with his best friend Jamie Palamino (Amy Smart). But in an attempt to proclaim his love, he makes a fool of himself in front of a class party. And Jamie just want to be friends. Now they're grown up and he's not fat anymore. Plus he's a success in the music industry. He has to accompany a ridiculous pop princess Samantha James (Anna Faris). Their jet catches on fire and they land back in his home town. It just might be his chance to be more than friends with Jamie.

Chris is an unlikeable character. And I don't think I rooted for him and Jamie to get together. Anna Faris is playing her character way too broad. At least I thought so, until the pond hockey game with the kids. The whole thing is full of anger, the characters are an unlikeable pathetic mess, and there are so many douchey characters. It's just too hard to root for anybody in this one.