---
title: "The Pallbearer"
year: 1996
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/the-pallbearer-1996"
media_type: "movie"
tmdb_id: 23570
imdb_id: "tt0117283"
status: "Released"
runtime_minutes: 97
community_rating: 5.0
vote_count: 132
content_rating: "PG-13"
---

# The Pallbearer (1996) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/the-pallbearer-1996

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

The Pallbearer is a 1996 American romantic comedy film co-written and directed by Matt Reeves in his feature directorial debut. The story follows aspiring architect Tom Thompson, whose life is upended when he is told that his best friend Bill has died by suicide, despite Tom never having met Bill. Agreeing to deliver the eulogy leads Tom into complicated interactions with Bill's mother, Ruth Abernathy, and his own long-absent high school crush, Julie DeMarco.

The film features a notable cast including David Schwimmer, Gwyneth Paltrow, Toni Collette, Michael Vartan, Michael Rapaport, and Barbara Hershey, and was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival. It delivers a comedic and romantic narrative centered around awkward social entanglements, mistaken identity, and unexpected reunions.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "An aspiring architect agrees to eulogize a stranger, sparking a chaotic chain of events."

### Why Watch
- Features an ensemble cast including David Schwimmer, Gwyneth Paltrow, Toni Collette, Michael Vartan, Michael Rapaport, and Barbara Hershey.
- Serves as the directorial debut of co-writer and director Matt Reeves.
- Blends romantic comedy elements with an eccentric premise involving a mistaken funeral.

### Caveats & Content Note
- The premise hinges on a bizarre setup where the protagonist agrees to eulogize someone he has never met.
- Tone & Suitability: The film runs for one hour and thirty-seven minutes and is rated PG-13, offering a comedic tone driven by an unusual funeral mix-up.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: #romantic-comedy, #mistaken-identity, #funeral-mix-up, #high-school-crush, #directorial-debut, #1996-cinema

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **United States (US)** | None | Hoopla | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies |
| **United Kingdom (GB)** | None | None | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video |
| **Canada (CA)** | Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads | None | None |
| **Australia (AU)** | None | None | Apple TV Store, Amazon Video, YouTube |

## Creative Credits

- **Directed by**: Matt Reeves
- **Networks / Studios**: The Chess Club, Miramax

## Key Cast Continuity

- **David Schwimmer** as *Tom Thompson*
- **Gwyneth Paltrow** as *Julie DeMarco*
- **Michael Rapaport** as *Brad Schorr*
- **Toni Collette** as *Cynthia*
- **Carol Kane** as *Tom's Mother*
- **Michael Vartan** as *Scott*
- **Bitty Schram** as *Lauren*
- **Jean De Baer** as *Suzanne DeMarco*
- **Elizabeth Franz** as *Aunt Lucille*
- **Mark Margolis** as *Philip DeMarco*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: Who directed The Pallbearer?
The film was co-written and directed by Matt Reeves in his directorial debut.

### Q: Who stars in the film?
The film stars David Schwimmer, Gwyneth Paltrow, Toni Collette, Michael Vartan, Michael Rapaport, and Barbara Hershey.

### Q: What is the runtime of the film?
The Pallbearer has a runtime of one hour and thirty-seven minutes.

### Q: What genre is The Pallbearer?
It is a 1996 American romantic comedy film.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [The Pallbearer — The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/23570)
- [The Pallbearer - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pallbearer)
- [The Pallbearer (1996) - Cast & Crew — The Movie Database (TMDB)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/23570-the-pallbearer/cast)
- [The Pallbearer (1996) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117283/)
- [The Pallbearer (1996) - Matt Reeves | Synopsis, Movie Info, Moods, Themes and Related](https://www.allmovie.com/)
- [The Pallbearer — Full Cast & Crew](https://filmdb.co.uk/box-office/movie/the-pallbearer-1996-box-office/full-cast-crew)

---
*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*