What The Critics Say

"The dreaded friend zone turns out to be a funny place after all." John Wirt ADVOCATE "Despite that off-putting one-sheet poster of Ryan Reynolds in a fat suit, the movie is actually pretty good -- funny, smart and featuring a host of appealing performances." Glenn Whipp LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS "Exploring friendships on all levels, Just Friends is frivolous fun. If you’re hungry for a laugh, take a bite." Louise Keller URBAN CINEFILE "Just Friends is part Farrelly Brothers and part Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, all wrapped together to deliver gross-out gags in bizarrely random and rapid-fire fashion, with zero intent to develop sustainable plot or character." Tony Wong TORONTO STAR "This year's "There's Something About Mary". Reynolds is pretty darn funny and with Smart, seems to have some saccharine sparks." Clint Morris MOVIEHOLE "A cheerily clean and notably bright teen comedy." Lisa Schwarzbaum ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY "If you enjoyed National Lampoon’s Van Wilder and want to laugh some more, look no further than Just Friends, a laugh-out-loud romantic comedy that will make you forget all your worries and the state of the world. Bursting at the seams with lashings of heart, this is comedy at its broadest, with larger-than-life situations, a smartly sharp script and knock-out performances from an instantly likeable cast." Louise Keller URBAN CINEFILE "The best thing about Just Friends is that it never pretends to be anything other than a crass, unsophisticated youth comedy." Louis B Hobson JAM! MOVIES

The Inside Story

"Reynolds will make you laugh, but Faris will make you shoot Diet Coke out of your nose." John Venable SUPERCALA.COM

If you enjoyed the outrageous humour of "Van Wilder: Party Liason" and the huge lampooning "Waiting" gace the restaurant industry, then get your skates on and head down to your local cinema for the latest send up comedy. "Just Friends". Once again Ryan Reynolds heads the cast and once again he shows that he certainly has a grasp on the comedy genre [not that he wasn't convincing in "The Amityville Horror"], and I'm not the only one who has come to that conclussion. "Ryan Reynolds; in fat suit and prosthetics as overweight high-school geek Chris Brander, shows a splendid sureness of comic touch, even when assailed with emotional, physical and unforseen events," ADVERTISER film critic Stan James wrote in his review which gave "Just Friends" a 3 STAR [out of four] RATING. Just about everyone knows a Chris Brander or has themselves had a super crush on someone of the opposite sex [or same sex. not that there's anything wrong with that] and ended up devestated when relegated to the 'friend zone'. Stories abound all through the teenage years of such situations so when screen writer Adam "Tex" Davis got the go-ahead to write the script he had plenty of people who wanted to tell him stories of such experiences. In fact Davis says he was "bombarded with hundreds of woebegone tales of guys and gals stuck in the 'friend zone'. “We realized that there was a wealth of material and this was one of those movies that everyone could relate to. The script underwent many changes, but we all knew it was such a good idea, so we kept going." Producer Chris Bender says it was a lot of work developing the material for "Just Friends". "Ultimately the script became a compilation of all sorts of people," he says. "The characters all sprang from real stories, so it’s been fun to develop." Both Bender and New Line Cinema production executive Richard Brener both threw their weight behind the project right from the start. The question "Just Friends" poses is, can you get out of the 'friend zone'? "The answer is yes," says Bender. "I realized that it really was about timing. This story shifted to incorporate that idea as well. The story is now about the character of Chris Brander allowing himself to become vulnerable again after being rejected in high-school where he was relegated to the ‘friend zone’; a place where ‘just friends’ relationships flourish, but not romantically." Director Roger Kumble admits he was a victim of the 'friend zone'. "I’ve been a victim of the ‘friend zone’ one too many times. That was the reason I wanted to make this movie. It was a relatable idea, and if executed right, could really tap into the Zeitgeist." Kumble also revealed that he had wanted to work with actor Ryan Reynolds for a decade. He got his wish. And what did Reynolds think of the script? "I’m shocked that a movie about this subject matter hasn’t been made before," says Reynolds. "Everyone can relate to being subjugated to the ‘friend zone’ and placed in this perma-penalty box of non-sexual gratification, the purgatorial Cyrano role of a lifetime. I went through it in high school when I was in love with this girl for years while she dated jerk after jerk, but came to me for advice! It certainly is my inspiration for this movie." Was that the only thing to attract him to the project? "A lot of comedies forsake the story, but from the outset Roger Kumble was adamant about making sure the story is the key ingredient," he says. "That’s what drew me into the script to begin with. It’s a beautiful story. I love it." But what makes the finished product so good is the cast members who play the characters in Chris Branders life. Amy Smart, who was director Roger Kumbles first choice for the role of Jamie Palamino, certainly really enjoyed working with Reynolds. "Ryan is charismatic and one of the funniest actors I’ve ever worked with," says Smart. "He’s got good comedic timing; he’s great with physical comedy, facial expressions, inflection and the way he delivers his lines. But what to me is more rare, he has a great way of bringing his heart into it at times when it’s needed. He is very present, and I love that." Was it just that? "I was drawn to the project because I wanted to do a romantic comedy, and after auditioning with Ryan on two other films before "Just Friends", I always felt we had great chemistry. I thought we could really bring a lot to these characters." Another cast member audiences will love is that of Samantha James played by the very talented Anna Faris. Of her onscreen character Reynolds notes, "This is one of the true mentally unhinged characters I’ve ever seen on film. Anna has created a completely original character. If you could cross Paris Hilton with Britney Spears and a Vietnam Vet, you’d have this character! Anna’s taken what’s on the page and elevated it to this very layered character." Faris too enjoyed working with Reynolds. "I love working with Ryan," says Faris. "He brings so much to the table and is so generous as an actor that I felt really comfortable attacking him! I’ve never met anybody as crazy as my character. I loved playing Samantha, but it required so much energy." So how would she describe Samantha? "She’s hyper-crazy, self-absorbed and a sex maniac." Back appearing again with Reynolds is Chris Klein who plays a 'wolf in sheeps clothing'. "Dusty Dinkleman was a nobody in high school," says Klein. "He had a bad acne problem, was really shy and his passion is music. The funny thing about Dusty is that he didn’t even have pull enough to get into the 'friend zone'. After he graduated, his acne cleared up and he grew into a good lookin’ young man and decided to be a Jersey Player. He uses his music and guitar to pick up women and decides to go after Jamie Palamino, the one that he could never get in high school. He’s charismatic and knows how to work the crowd and really uses that to his advantage, even though there’s more to him than meets the eye. There’s always that one guy who’s shallow enough to come up with these crazy schemes to get chicks." Another cast member who will get the audience going is Christopher Marquette who plays Chris Brander's younger brother MIke. "We searched high and low for the right actor to play Mike," says director Roger Kumble. "Christopher Marquette fitted the bill. His relationship with his brother was identical to that of Chris and Mike in the film. What’s funny is that it’s so relatable." I have to be honest here and reveal that I found the interaction between these two character so life-like and a real hoot. Why? "Mike is a wiseass, a jerk-off little brother. The best part about playing him is that he only cares about himself. The challenge is creating an entire world where, in every scene, all I have to do is try to make the funniest decisions that just come from myself," says Marquette. "He’s one of those guys that’ll never grow up. He’ll be sixty years old and still slapping his older brother. It’s like a typical relationship between brothers." "Just Friends" will definately have younger audiences cracking up for sure. It is so totally wicked. Much of the credit must go to Roger Kumble who got a big wrap from Ryan Reynolds for the way he worked with the cast. "I just love his style and the energy that he brings to this kind of movie," Reynolds said. "I really love that he allows myself and the other actors to go full bloom in scenes and go as ridiculous as possible; and then, as straight as possible as well." It's a big wrap and one that Roger Kumble thoroughly deserves. Cast & Crew Bytes "JUST FRIENDS" stars .......
Ryan Reynolds ["Van Wilder: Party Liaison", "Blade: Trinity", "The Amityville Horror" and "Waiting"]; Amy Smart ["Rat Race", "The Butterfly Effect", "Win A Date With Tad Hamilton!" and "Starsky & Hutch"]; Chris Klein ["American Pie I & II", "Say It Isn't So", "American Pie 2", "We Were Soldiers" and "The United States of Leland"]; Christopher Marquette ["Sweet Nothing", "Freddy Vs. Jason", "The Girl Next Door" and "Sugar Mountain"]; Julie Haggerty ["U Turn", "Freddy Got Fingered", "A Guy Thing" and "Pizza"]; Stephen Root ["Black Rain", "Dave", "The Lady Killers" and "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story"]; Barry Flatman ["The Sea Wolf", "My Name Is Tanino", "The Absence of Emily" and "The Last Sign"] and Anna Faris ["Scary Movie I, II & III", "Lost in Translation", "Waiting" and "Brokeback Mountain"] as Samantha.
"JUST FRIENDS" was .......
directed by Roger Kumble ["Cruel Intentions", "Cruel Intentions2" and "The Sweetest Thing"]; screenplay by Adam Davis [TV'S "Spring Break Lawyer"]; costume design by Alexandra Welker ["Dead Connection", "Flirt", "Meet the Deedles" and "American Pie 2"]; production design by Robb Wilson King ["The Man Who Wasn't There", "Rush Hour", "Scary Movie", "Barbershop 2" and "Paparazzi"]; edited by Jeff Freeman ["Bulletproof", "The Water Dance", "Deep Red" and "Cruel Intentions"]; cinematography by Anthony B Richmond ["The Man Who Fell to Earth", "Legally Blonde", "The Sweetest Thing" and "A Cinderella Story"]; original music by Jeff Cardoni ["Santa's Little Helper", "A Walk to Remember", "Intentions" and "Death, Can I Buy You a Drink?"]. What It's All About

"A surprisingly shrewd and energetic romantic comedy." Justin Chang VARIETY

Chris Brander, shy and very overweight high school student can't wait to tell the gorgeous Jamie Palamino how much she means to him. To his dismay Jamie's reaction to a love note in her year book isn't what he expected. She sees him as her her best friend. He's been put in 'the friend zone'. Heartbroken Chris flees into the night vowing to show eveyone he can become successful. Ten years later, slim, handsome Chris is back in New Jersey after his private jet suffers an in-air problem while enroute to Paris. When he runs into Jamie at the local bar, his passion is re-ignited. Chris decides he'll try and win the girl of his dreams over. Unfortunately, the harder he tries, the more he fails. And Chris has a rival. Sleazy Dusty Dinkleman has been playing the 'mister good guy' on Jamie so that he can get into her pants. The Verdict "This is not a film for those who can't grasp the sort of humour which sometimes left them with aching ribs as a teenager or young adult. But if you still act like a jerk and everyones always telling you to grow up, the by all means, sit in with a younger audience and laugh at the absolute craziness of the romantic comedy "Just Friends". Once again Ryan Reynolds shows, as he did with the recent "Waiting" that he can certainly handle the comedy genre and Anna Faris is just a pure delight in the role of Samantha James. Recommended for 'not' mature audiences." Who's Who?

Ryan Reynolds Amy Smart Anna Faris Chris Klein Christopher Marquette Julie Haggerty Stephen Root Fred Ewanuick Amy Matysio Barry Flatman Maria Arcé James Bitonti Annie Brebner Jason Bryant Simon Chin Cavan Cunningham Owen Gieni Mircea Monroe Jaden Ryan Skye Brandon Joe Cappelletti Robin Dunne Ty Olsson Ashley Scott Mike Simpson

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Chris Brander Jamie Palamino Samantha James Dusty Mike Chris' Mom KC Clark Darla Mr Palamino Athena Bouncer Sarah Customer Sound Engineer Ron the Record Producer Bartender Betty Joey Toady Voice Over Ray Tim Nurse Janice Preacher

The Crew Directed by Roger Kumble Written by Adam Davis Produced by Chris Bender/William J Johnson/Michael Ohoven/J C Spink/William Vince Original Music by Jeff Cardoni Cinematography by Anthony B Richmond Film Editing by Jeff Freeman Casting by Coreen Mayrs/Brenda McCormick/Rick Montgomery Production Design by Robb Wilson King Set Decoration by Christina Kuhnigk Costume Design by Alexandra Welker Run Time 94 minutes Rated M [AUST] Copyright ©2006 - New Line Cinema - All Rights Reserved Copyright Protected © 2006 - The Movie Pages & Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved