Just Friends
| Just Friends | |
|---|---|
| File:Just Friends.jpg | |
| Directed by | Roger Kumble |
| Written by | Adam 'Tex' Davis |
| Produced by | Chris Bender |
| Starring | Ryan R. Reynolds Amy Smart Anna Faris Chris Marquette |
| Distributed by | New Line Cinema |
Release dates | November 23, 2005 (USA) |
Running time | 96 min. |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $ |
Just Friends is a movie about Chris Brander, an overweight high school student (Ryan Reynolds) who is in love with his best friend, Jamie Palamino (Amy Smart). He confesses his feelings to her and is publically humiliated when she doesn't reciprocate them. Years later, he has a new physique and a career as a successful record producer. He also has an up-and-coming pop act by the name of Samantha James (Anna Faris), who has an obvious crush on him. A freak accident takes Samantha and himself back to Chris' hometown and back to face his best friend and his teenage embarrassment. Chris also has to face his unresolved feelings for Jamie, and refuses to give up on the road to woo her, even though he is rivalled by womanizing Dusty (Chris Klein) for Jamie's affections.
The film is mildly controversial due to its "shallow" nature and plot. Chris Brander is supposed to be considered attractive only when he arrives back in town slender, and before his change in weight, the idea of Chris dating Jamie is portrayed as ridiculous and used only as a humorous plot device.
Cast
- Ryan R. Reynolds — Chris Brander
- Amy Smart — Jamie Palamino
- Anna Faris — Samantha James
- Chris Klein — Dusty
- Chris Marquette — Mike
- Julie Hagerty — Chris' mom
- Stephen Root — KC
- Fred Ewanuick — Clark
- Amy Matysio — Darla
- Barry Flatman — Mr. Palamino
- Maria Arcé — Athena
- Ty Olsson — Tim
Quotes
Clark: You're Hollywood, you date models - he's Jersey, he skiis in his jeans!
Mike Brander: You are so hot.
Samantha James: I know!
16yo Chris Brander (to himself): Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!
Samantha James: This is so romantic that you brought me home to meet your mom.
Is this one of your clever little plans?
Chris Brander: Yes, I was planning it from the very beginning, that you'd set the airplane on fire.
Mike Brander: You'll always be fat to me!
Samantha James: Wait a minute, am I being Punk'd? Oh my god! Ashton, you really got me! Ha, ha! Ashton! ... Ashton?
30yo Chris Brander: Keep living the dream, Tim.
30yo Tim: Done!
Dusty Dinkleman: Hey, have fun with Jamie, cause I know I will.
Mike Brander: Raise your hand if your brother is a homo.
Samantha James: Oopsie, I'm naked.
Samantha James: You and I are gonna be the greatest musical manager team since Jessica Simpson and her father only you and I get to "mreow" and they can't, 'cause it's illegal. I looked it up.
Mr. Palamino: How did you lose all that weight? Like that dork from Subway?
Chris Brander: Goodbye Sucktownkissmyass!
Original songs performed in the film
- "Forgiveness", performed multiple times by Anna Faris.
- "When Jamie Smiles", performed multiple times by Chris Klein
- "Love from Afar", performed by Anna Faris
The soundtrack is now available in stores. Most songs in the film were written by Adam Schiff, except "When Jamie Smiles", written by H. Scott Salinas.
Making of the film
The movie was filmed in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada (with many scenes being filmed in nearby Moose Jaw) in the middle of winter. This is the first Hollywood film to be shot almost entirely in Saskatchewan. With the popular Canadian CTV comedy series Corner Gas also filmed south of Regina in Rouleau, the film industry in Saskatchewan made significant gains in the North American film market from 2003 to the present day 2005. Fred Ewanick, who played Clark, Chris's best friend, co-stars in "Corner Gas" as Hank. Corner Gas semi-regulars Cavin Cunningham and Mike O'Brien also play small roles in the film.