I’ll come right out and admit it. I’m a guy in his 30’s and I liked the show Friends. There… I said it. Coming out of the closet it very liberating. I always thought that what made that show work so well (besides the often BRILLIANT writing) was the chemistry between the characters, and the perfect casting for them. Now, David Schwimmer is set to Direct the independent film “Run Fat Boy Run” (catchy title). But as good as the cast of Friends has been, the transition to the big screen has been bumpy at best.
There’s no real explanation for it. The stars of Friends are all quite talented, attractive and have big potential drawing power. But every film any of them have “starred” in has been a failure (on several levels). Have any theories as to why?
Let’s look at the track record of some of the more notable films shall we?
Jennifer Aniston:
She’s the One (1996)
Picture Perfect (1997)
‘Til There Was You (1997)
Object of My Affection, The (1998)
Office Space (1999) Probably the best film she appeared in… but it was just a smaller support role
Iron Giant, The (1999) Only did the voice… obviously
Rock Star (2001) Should have been a breakout role for her… but the movie was a disappointment
Good Girl, The (2002)
Bruce Almighty (2003) A great movie, but once again just a supporting role
Along Came Polly (2004)
Courteney Cox:
Masters of the Universe (1987) Yes, the HE-MAN movie with Dolph Lungren
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994) Best movie she did, but just a supporting role
Scream Films (starting in 1996) Not bad films… but a relatively small role in all of them
Runner, The (1999) Ugg
3000 Miles to Graceland (2001) What a mess this was
Lisa Kudrow:
Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion (1997) I still have nightmares
Analyze This/Analyze That (1999) Small supporting role
Hanging Up (2000) Oh dear
Lucky Numbers (2000) A film with John Travolta. Wow this sucked
Marci X (2003) In theaters for about 15 minutes
Matt LeBlanc:
Ed (1996) With the baseball playing monkey. Ummm yeah.
Lost in Space (1998) Should have been a hit… but the movie missed
And that’s about it for Mr. LeBlanc
David Schwimmer:
Pallbearer, The (1996)
Kissing a Fool (1998)
Six Days Seven Nights (1998)
Apt Pupil (1998) Small role
Matthew Perry:
Fools Rush In (1997) Bad romantic Comedy
Three to Tango (1999) Bad Romantic Comedy
Serving Sara (2002) Bad Romantic Comedy (are we sensing a theme here?)
The Whole Nine Yards (2000) Easily the best film a Friends star has had a lead in
