The Pallbearer is a 1996 American romantic comedy film co-written and directed by Matt Reeves in his directorial debut and starring David Schwimmer, Gwyneth Paltrow, Toni Collette, Michael Vartan, Michael Rapaport, and Barbara Hershey.

A former high school classmate's mother, Ruth Abernathy, calls to say his "best friend", Bill, died by suicide, asking him to give his eulogy.

At the funeral, Tom's vague and impersonal eulogy confuses the Abernathys and amuses his friends.

Rejected at his second job interview, Tom goes to Ruth's to help pack Bill's room.

Tom tells Ruth about Bill's fictitious love interest based completely on his own infatuation with Julie, and they continue to see each other.

When Tom's car breaks down, Julie finds Ruth's charm bracelet, so he tells her he has been helping Bill Abernathy's mother since the funeral.

When Tom seeks advice from Brad, he suggests mailing the bracelet with a letter to end things with Ruth.

At Brad's bachelor party, Tom makes a scene, telling him not to marry Lauren, calling her an albatross around his neck and that Scott agrees.

They both realize they needed someone at the time, Ruth mourning her son and Tom pining for his childhood crush.

Miramax Films won an auction in October 1994 for the spec script written by Reeves and Jason Katims, initially paying $400,000.

Reeves was known for co-writing Under Siege 2: Dark Territory and Katims as a story editor on the television show My So-Called Life.

The consensus summarizes: "Between a dark comedy and a romantic one, The Pallbearer confounds, and David Schwimmer's puppy dog eyes can't save the procession from going six feet under.