Comwayon A Disappointing Continuation

Baseshment I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Maidexpl Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast

Billie Morin This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

Melissa Mendelson The Groomsmen is a heartfelt story of one man wavering on the road of his life. Love takes his heart, but is he ready for the leap ahead? The bonds of friendship strengthen his spirit, but conflict threatens to break them apart. Doubt steals across his mind, but moments of life shed light over the promise of time. And through brilliant storytelling and direction are we carried across the trials that he and those beside him must confront, and characters conflicted and defined shine like a brilliant sun through the heart and soul of a talented cast. And once again, we remember a beautiful talent that adds so much to a powerful storyline, Brittany Murphy, and she will be forever missed.

Siamois In 1995, Ed Burns broke out both as an actor and a director with "The Brothers McMullen". The film was a down-to-earth portrait of east coast America about the growing pains of adulthood, relationships, family and aspirations that clearly established Ed Burns' style. And it was a solid debut. The problem is that, since then, Ed Burns has told the same story over and over again, adding nothing new, failing to refine his directorial sense of humor, pacing or character development. Most of his movies seem to feature similar characters, in the same landscape, dealing with the same issues.If you've seen several Ed Burns films, you'll definitely want to give this one a pass as you've see these two-dimensional characters before and you'll be able to guess the stock resolution. If you've never seen a Burns movie, I would recommend She's the One over this, as it has funnier moments, stronger performances and better chemistry between the main actors. I get the growing impression that in 1995, Ed Burns would have been much better off developing a dramatic, HBO-style TV series taking place in Long Island, and to take more time to get his characters through issues. Instead, we're left with a guy who seems obsessed with telling us something over and over again, as if it wasn't obvious to begin with.I sympathize with Burns' concerns and the issues his characters deal with are interesting and organic, but I'm left with the impression I was left in the middle of the journey once again. Again, I'd be up for a HBO series by Burns anytime, but this is the last of his movies I will probably try. Not that they are particularly bad, but they just aren't good enough to be recycled constantly.

meeza Writer-Director Edward Burns has groomed another creative & wily film in his latest marry, I mean merry, offering "The Groomsmen". Burns also stars as Paulie, a Long Island lifer who is having cold feet by getting the all too familiar "till death due you part" phobia on marrying his pregnant fiancé Sue, played by the chirpy Brittany Murphy. However, the primary premise of "The Groomsmen" is the groomsmen themselves. They are Paulie's lifelong crackers, I mean buddies, who each have a certain dilemma. Donald Logue plays Jimbo, Paulie's beer-quenching brother who is a strip bar dweller & ignores his devoted, but yet, growing impatient wife Julianna (Heather Burns). Next coming through the groomsmen aisle, we have Des (Mathew Lilliard), the dutiful husband & father who gets a candid excitement in getting his 80's high school cover band reunited which obviously are comprised of le groomsmen themselves. Also grooming through, we got the unripe Mike portrayed by Jay Mohr; Mike's childlike & obsessive antics get him in "not to be or like Mike" hot water turmoil with his ex-girlfriend and even with a few of the groomsmen. John Leguziamo plays T.C., which might stand for "too cool" by having a ripe aura about him, but it might also stand for "top covert" because he has been out of town & touch from his crazy clan for eight years due to a personal secret. The ensemble acting of "The Groomsmen" were lords of the auteur rings. However, the best acting men were Mohr & Leguziamo. Steady Eddie's crafty screenplay does ring similar bells in theme & structure to some of his past independent films. However, why should Burns cinematically divorce himself from his exceptional & practical scribing style. Burns once again proves that he masterfully incorporates friendship, family, guilt, Catholicism, Irish-upbringing, and New York homage to his film-work. "The Groomsmen" marches itself as one of the best films of 2006 . ***** Excellent

dhunsber Full disclosure, I loved every one of the films Ed Burns has written/directed. I'm not blind to the fact that Burns and I are about the same age and from the same part of the country. My friends and I are in closer tune with his themes, etc. But there is something bigger going on here:1. Burns ability to make such great films on such small budgets, is like the team in baseball with the lowest payroll making the playoffs. He does more with less. I couldn't believe that this one was 3 million which I found out after watching. 2. He gets more out of actors than most directors. The Groomsmen is an example of that. A lot may have to do with the long shots of scenes that are amazing. Actors can actually act and he lets them be "the talent" as much as he is as w/d. 3. Funny and dramatic and deep and loving and special. All his films have this, but Groomsman is "extra" all of these things. In this already special body of work Burns has, Groomsman stands out. I loved them all, but this one is special. See it right away. One other thing.... When the film ended the first thing I thought was that Donal Logue should win an Oscar for his performance in this film. I was happy when watching the director's commentary that Burns raved about his acting. Everyone in The Groomsman was great, but he was superb.