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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writer:
Eric Weber (writer)
Tagline:
Losing sucks, but it doesn't necessarily kill you.
Plot:
Jealousy overwhelms a group of friends, particularly struggling writer Elliot, as they prepare for the homecoming of their old friend, a wildly successful L.A. producer. full summary | add synopsis
User Comments:
A sensitive, funny, and affectionate study of a mensch more (23 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Joe Pantoliano | ... | Elliot |
 | Boyd Gaines | ... | Richard |
| Peter Gerety | ... | Marshall |
 | Bronson Pinchot | ... | Doc Klingenstein |
| Matthew Arkin | ... | Gerald |
 | Jennifer Tilly | ... | Carole |
| Stephen Bogardus | ... | George |
| Barbara Barrie | ... | Dorothea |
 | Polly Draper | ... | Paula |
| James Ryan | ... | Danny |
| Stephen Sable | ... | Lum Chin |
| Damian Young | ... | Robert Stern |
| Melody Pantoliano | ... | Waitress |
| Irma St. Paule | ... | Beth |
| Frank McCombs | ... | Frank |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated R for language and sexual content.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
86 min | Canada:90 min (Ontario)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Certification:
USA:R | Canada:14A (Ontario) | USA:TV-MA (cable rating)
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Quotes:
Elliot:
[reading from his printed leaflet] That was right about the time my beautiful wife Paula was leaving me for the architect who designed the house we could no longer afford. A handsome, athletic man with a six-figure income and a pleasant, respectful manner.
[pause]
Elliot:
I know I'll never get over loving her for the rest of my life.
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (23 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Second Best (2004)| Recent Posts (updated daily) | User |
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| Self pity | nicknazareth |
| That song... | Doctor_Benway |
Recommendations
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| Roger Dodger | The Opposite of Sex | Why Did I Get Married? | The Muppets Take Manhattan | Something's Gotta Give |
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I enjoyed "Second Best" greatly. It is a deftly-constructed study of a group of old friends, with the emphasis on the character Elliot (Joe Pantoliano). Elliot thinks of himself as a loser, especially by contrast with his old friend Richard, who's got it all--the beautiful wife, tons of money, memberships in the best country clubs, great looks. He can't help but confront his friends with their own failings, as well as his own. But when the chips are down, it's Elliot who comes through as a real mensch, a good guy in the most important ways, and the film leaves you with the sense that in every important respect Elliot is not "second best" at all. He is the true hero of the movie, as improbable as that may seem at first. Eric Weber clearly has a great affection for his characters, and he represents them with great humor as well as a deep understanding. This is an American-made film that reminds you of the foreign movies you love so much (especially if you're sick as I am of car chases, explosions, and special effects). Highly recommended.