User reviews

I came across this one while channel-surfing and since it was just starting I left it on. I didn't expect much from it but have to admit I did find it engaging, maybe because I am a graduate of the class of '87 and I never attended my 10th reunion I am more susceptible to this films charms. While the movie covers all the bases by representing all personality types it was nice to see some of the characters weren't truly stereotypical. I also did find myself laughing out-loud at many of the mean-spiritedness of Lara Flynn Boyle's character....her performance alone was worth the watch.

Be on the lookout for cameos by Molly Ringwald as "Claire" (coincidence?) and Jennifer Grey (post nose-job) and a funny stint by Liev Schreiber.

Overall a pleaser in my humble opinion.

by Dane Youssef

It's astonishing that Schwimmer turned down the lead in "Men In Black" (the Will Smith role) for this. He might have been the one to have a lasting career after "Friends." Or at least appear in something good.

No such luck.

"Since You've Been Gone" is yet another movie that showcases the 10th Anniversary High School Reunion. Wow, how many movies are they make around those? Not merely reunions, I mean, everyone deals with those at some point.

But the 10 year post mark is usually when reunion time comes rolling around.

I'm not sure to begin saying everything that's wrong with this movie. Many already have. Many have condensed the problems into a blurb or a couple of sentences. The critic on Epinions.com wrote: "Cons: Bad Acting, Half-Baked Development of Characters, Lack of Direction and Focus in Storyline." But I disagree.

What about the gaping lack of humor, energy and insight?

Still, I guess that's too much for a nutshell.

Aside from Jeff Steinberg's rough-draft script, David Schwimmer's directing is also a chief flaw. And I am about to explain why:

Whenever actors try to direct, there's always a danger that this Thespian-turned-helmer could try to turn the movie, show or whatever into just a bunch of filmed performances.

This director will just focus entirely on performances and skim or completely omit just about everything else.

You know what I mean. Ever notice whenever an actor makes his directorial debut, he has a tendency to turn it into pretty much just a taped collage of actors acting?

Kinda like a portfolio or a resume' on tape? Think about EVERY movie directed by an actor you've ever seen? We're just observing some people act, not a real movie.

But to be fair, that's not ALWAYS how it turns out when an actor directs: ("Braveheart," "Unforgiven," "Zoolander," "Sling Blade," "Now You Know" and "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind").

And whenever SCREENWRITERS get behind the camera, many have a tendency to just focus on the actors delivery of their dialog and little plot points, twists and morals.

But enough of that crap. Jeez, I'm supposed to be reviewing a movie, not writing a handbook on a director's workshop.

David Schwimmer's other directorial credits include numerous episodes of "Friends," so it's understandable why he kinda cocks up here.

The camera is mostly on auto-pilot. The whole movie is like a boring workplace party with elevator muzak playing. The actors (all from Schwimmer's Lookingglass Theatre Company) all come together and recite easy sit-com one-liners and sit-com situations with sit-com payoffs.

Once again, this COULD be funny and worth-watching. But it's all done with an absolute minimum of energy.

The most Schwimmer DOES bring to the movie is his character Robert S. Levitt, an obnoxious dick who was all the rage in high school, getting apparently popular by pissing people off (Hey, that's why I did! Seriously. I never realized I was such a rotting asshole).

He berates the people who were losers in high school and are losers now. Schwimmer SHOULD get some credit as shedding his Ross-image, despite Schwimmer's many mannerisms: Clipped speech (William Shattner vocalizations), hoarse and drunken voice and Dustin Hoffman persona (but none of Hoffman's character acting). Schwimmer's range is pretty limited and sit-coms and soaps are the perfect showcase for the mediocre, yet determined.

All the usual types are here. The token gay guy. The geek who's still kind of a geek, but successful. The one who wants his revenge. The former school bully. The high-strung bitch. The neurotic nebbish. All true-to-life. Probably. But no fresh material, no insight or real digging into what's going on. They're all too cartoonish, yet not given any real jokes to deal with. The movie would just rather sit there and be quirky rather than say or do anything in particular. It never surprises you, delights you or interests you very much. It doesn't even really make you laugh.

I can see why Schwimmer must've liked it. All of the vague "jokes": a guy finding "Kick Me" signs on his back, a woman chipping a tooth and looking deformed, a guy "geeked-up" and dancing horribly even for a white guy on purpose. This is all sit-com level stuff. But for some reason, it's easier to take with a laugh-track, commercial-breaks and all in a half-hour.

Fellow "Friends" alumni Lisa Kudrow did the 10th High School Reunion better in "Romy & Michelle's High School Reunion."

Rent that instead.

But all bile aside, here's hoping Schwimmer manages to score next time at bat. And gets a good ACTING showcase as well. In a nutshell, it's just a dull and horribly under-developed and lifeless movie.

IS... there life after "Friends?" For David? I hope so. Let's all hope... pray deep and hard.

by Dane Youssef

This movie is a very entertaining. The writers nail the stereotypes that exist in everyone's high school class, and continue to exist 10 years later. Thank God they tend to disappear as we get older.

The writing is quick witted and doesn't dummy down. While it's star studded, it's not played up. It's one of those movies you'll sit and watch the credits, to see "What's that guy's name?" David Schwimmer is the perfect arrogant ass. Molly Ringwald adorable in her cameo.

The music is great for a quick glimpse back to the 80's.

I highly recommend finding a copy of it to view before you attend any reunion.

High school reunions can be pointless and painful, that pretty much describes watching this movie. What were these actors thinking when they made this film? The jokes are boring and stale, the story line is stale and sophomoric, and the situations are uninteresting.

David Schwimmer directed and starred in this flounder and couldn't have been more predictable as the smarmy class president. The characters are unlikable and annoying. It's an absolute waste of such well-known stars as Teri Hatcher, Lara Flynn Boyle, David Schwimmer, Jon Stewart, Marisa Tomei, Molly Ringwald, Jerry Springer, etc.

The only highlights I found were Joey Slotnick's character singing his new hit song; very poignant moment and Grace (Lara Flynn Boyle). Grace is viciously hysterical. Her dry calmness as she calls the babysitter with a death threat simply to get rid of an annoying couple is sinister.

If you have two hours to spare out of your precious life and you think Teri Hatcher is nice eye candy, watch this movie. I did. I won't again, she's hot but not that hot, I don't know if any woman is. This movie to me was created as a vehicle for David Schwimmer to build on his success from Friends. The characters are never developed, Schwimmers acting if you want to call it that is stiffer than the reaction just looking at Teri Hatcher has on me. It is formulaic, predictable and stereotypical. All the things I love in a movie. At least it was a made for TV movie so no one ever spent any money to see it. The only redeeming nuggets that I gleaned were the cameos. It was nice to see some good people trying to help bail out the sinking ship.

This movie lacks any sort of direction what so ever. It has no plot, the acting is lame, the characters are lame, the jokes are lame. It is one of the top 10 worst movies I have ever seen. If you like movies that aren't funny and have no plot, then go rent this movie tonight.

This movie is so funny that it inspired me to attend my high-school reunion.

The movie's high school reunion takes place in Chicago with the requisite high school stereotypes in attendance. Although the characters are typical, their dialogue is not. I ended up balling in laughter at the originality of the well-delivered lines.

Check out Lara Flynn Boyle who plays the class psychotic. In one scene, an overbearing, married couple can't stop boring the dinner table with stories about the joys(!) of parenting. The Boyle character slinks away to the hotel lobby, calls their house, and threatens to kill their babysitter. When she returns to the dinner table, the married couple is receiving a cell-phone call from the terrified babysitter. Unfortunately for all, they have to run home to save their babies in the suburbs.

P.S. Don't let the director, David Schwimmer of "Friends," scare you away from this gem. This is one film he got right.

This movie is terrible. There is no plot, no characterization, and in general no laughs. Lara Flynn Boyle of the The Practice is actually pretty funny, but she was the bright spot in an otherwise dull and unfunny movie. David Schwimmer, although hilarious on Friends, missed the mark here.

I loved this movie! It was so awesome! It had some moments that were kind of slow, but it was overall a wonderful movie..Especially Lara Flynn Boyle. She was hilarious while torturing people for no reason, and it just kept escalating, from gum in the hair to giving away someone else's baby. She was great. I think this is a very cool movie that you shouldn't miss!

I couldn't help but think of this movie, watching or rather trying not to fall asleep, watching this tedious TV movie. I loved this reunion of TV actors, but the comedy of manners aspect got lost on me. I thought the characters talked too much, and didn't have anything interesting to say either. I was expecting the night to get really wild at one point, but it never did. Just a boring old fictional high school reunion, with popular actors in tiny roles. Liev Schreiber as « the king of the track », was hilarious. I actually couldn't believe Schwimmer was behind this unimaginative script, but it was probably his first time directing something... As far as movies on the same topic is concerned, I much prefer his Friends co-star « Romy and Michelle » flick, over this one. And Can't Hardly Wait, of course. Also, it's crazy how dated it looks, it may have been released in 1998, but I'm sure it was shot earlier.

Without a doubt, this was the worst movie I saw in 1998, and I'm only glad I saw it on TV, so I didn't have to pay for it. This resembles a script written by people who were drunk and thought something was funny, when it really isn't. I don't watch FRIENDS, so I don't know much about David Schwimmer, but he's got no talent as a director here; there's no coherent story or characters (Lara Flynn Boyle pretty much has to make hers up from scratch), and everyone here is quite unsympathetic. The saving grace is Marisa Tomei in a brief cameo. Otherwise, blecch!

With a simple, yet elegantly interwoven storyline, SINCE YOU'VE BEEN GONE entertains with comedy, emotion, and the subtle brilliance of David Schimmer.

Following a clique of high school friends around their 10 year reunion, the film takes up complex issues that include personal success, fleeting popularity, the loneliness and confusion of adulthood, and mixes them with 'kick me' signs, re-kindled romance, and an 80's cover band.

Familiar and unfamiliar actors give several perfectly nuanced and superb performances that add an unforgettable quaintness to the film. (In fact, these are the only major roles for main characters Heidi Stillman, Thom Cox, and David Catlin.) Cameos by John Stewart, Molly Ringwald, Marisa Tomei, a post-plastic surgery Jennifer Grey, and Schwimmer's mom also add to the light-hearted humor.

Between directing this film, his performance in KISSING A FOOL and his role in BAND OF BROTHERS, it's apparent that Schwimmer is nothing short of a genius (a fact recognized only by a handful of people, including Larry David).

A must own film.

Since You've Been Gone is a relatively decent film with a cast of relative unknowns with the exception of a few. Kevin is a doctor who attends his ten year high school reunion with his wife and best friend and to face the trauma of an incident that happened at his graduation. An unemployed, balding man and his psycho friend visit where they come in contact with a plane crash survivor/speaker who has a thing for the balding man. A woman in search of a man only to find herself in a funnily painful injury. David Schwimmer plays the class president, a conceited, quick witted jackass whom the psycho friend has a vendetta against. Lara Flynn Boyle is funny as a total psycho who falls for the psycho friend. Jon Stewart, Marisa Tomei, and Jerry Springer make cameos in the film. David Schwimmer is good as the guy who always finds himself prone to insulting signs on his back. Kevin comes to realize why the incident happened in the first place because of how he is towards people. Since You've Been Gone is definitely a lot stranger and a lot more offbeat than you might think.

Class reunion films always have the potential to be good entertainment, unfortunately most don't deliver. 'Since You've Been Gone' thankfully does.. .And doesn't.

It has its moments of genuine humor, but it also tries to be quirky and even sentimental. It doesn't always succeed, but more than not. It helps that it has a talented cast.

Relative unknowns Phillip Rayburn Smith, Laura Eason, and Thom Cox give standout performances, while the more recognizable faces of Teri Hatcher and David Schwimmer (who also directed) do not have much to go on.

Surprisingly, the films scene-stealer is its most under-written character, Grace, the class beauty/psycho. You can't help but chuckle when Lara Flynn Boyle comes on screen. It's then you know you can count on a laugh. No reason is ever given for her wicked behavior, but after a while, you won't care. Just further proof that the always sexy Boyle handles comedy just as easily as the heavy stuff.

Look for inspired cameos from Marisa Tomei, Jon Stewart, Molly Ringwald and the post nose-job Jennifer Grey (whom after watching this with friends realized I am the ONLY person who recognized her).

Personally, I really liked this movie. A lot of people didn't though. But, you do need to have the right sense of humor in order to like some of the jokes in the movie. Some of the humor is very dry, but then there are some jokes that had me laughing out loud. It is an off-beat comedy and some people need to realize that.

The whole thing is just about a high school reunion all of the many mishaps. Kind of like CAN'T HARDLY WAIT only it's at a high school reunion. Just one big party movie.

The jokes were well crafted and Hollywood favorite David Schwimmer does a half way decent directing job. There were small sections of the movie that I didn't care too much for, but other than a flopping one or two scenes, I really found this film enjoyable.

There is a gigantic all-star cast, and the only reason why Philip Rayburn Smith (who is the main character) probably didn't recieve star billing is because he still isn't very well known. But, still the cast is all-star and the film is highly entertaining.

SINCE YOU'VE BEEN GONE: 5/5.

Lara Flynn Boyle was hysterical, she played that psycho role so naturally. The Actor Philip Rayburne Smith needs to be seen more in movies and/or television.

He has some qualities, looks and acting. The movie was a good movie if you need a few laughs.

I don't want to spoil the movie for you but, it seemed so surreal.

I hated David Schwimmers role, but then again with his nasal whiny voice, I guess he can't play many roles.

The Gay character Zane or Lane, I forget the name, was a really good portrayal of a real live gay man! I gave it a 10 because it was a very funny movie.

The cameos were cute too, you get to see Jennifer Grey(Dirty Dancing) post rhinoplasty. Molly Ringwald with her fantastic sarcasm about being a teen film star. You must see Since You've been Gone!

This movie should definitely be rented, not your typical movie all the actors do a brilliant job as well as the great direction. It was also nice to see a regular looking cast not some overly handsome and beautiful cast who are picked just for their star power. Furthermore, this film really sucks you into the story of the characters lives as well as the night that they all spend together. It is once again, HILARIOUS but then at the same time doesn't take its self to seriously. This film also does a great job of incorporating several sub characters that don't take away from the general flow of the film. Do yourself a favor and rent this one, however i imagine if you are reading this you might have already seen it so good for you.

Mike

OK, first thing to clear up. Schwimmer's name is top billing for the simple reason that he is the most famous in the movie. Just like Marlon Brando in Apocalypse Now, and Richard Harris in Harry Potter.

OK, now the good stuff. I dunno how else to say it, but this movie is amazing. You just smile all the way through, except when you are laughing your head off. Its such a warm movie, ya cant help but get so involved with every other character. It is more like an Alan Bennet play than a made for TV film. You see things in the background that carry the story along, every single character is involved with every other character. Everything is just, perfect. Thats all i can say. If you want to spend two hours feeling great, watch this movie. I cant understand why everyone slates this movie, coz it really is a damn fine movie, and one worth seeing, even if its just for the soundtrack!

This movie struck my adolescent home... and hard! The story line is rather brief in the drama department, mostly consisting of characterization "sketches" held together by the 10th reunion event. But I must declare, these vignettes were very much as I remember the angst of high school socializations. Every now and then I desire to watch this movie and usually end up watching it 2 or 3 times in one session. I think a good many people who have seen this movie dislike it because of the accurate recollections of those painful, "glory lost" or awkward years in high school. David Schwimmer's character as the class president reminds me of the social strata that necessitated the need to endure extreme torment. The trivial yet paradoxically significant feud between doctors McEldowney and Prince poignantly points out those events which act as a great social forge in our personal developments. There are so many personalities represented in this movie, and these personalities are highly representative of my friend's and my own high school years. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who can look back into their personal past and laugh at those formative semi-adult years in life.

i saw this one for the second time on cable this morning whilst flicking thru the channels. a movie about a typical high school reunion - with a twist. the characters dont all turn out how you expect them to be from the way they look. sure, the D&D nerds are still annoying, the head cheerleader and star quarterback are still together (hehehe) and the class psycho is still psycho, but everyone seems to be trying to be something they're not, and some are doing better (or much worse) than others. you'll ask yourself "where have i seen that actor/actress before??" many times through out the film. look out for some 80's stars cameoing as well (as well a cameo by jerry springer!) the best character? well fred of course! cuz "you've gotta dance!!"

The film is very watchable, but the story seems to lack direction. At the end of the movie not everyone is living happily ever after. But thats perhaps why it feels original.

The story's a comedy about a class reunion where people find out how much they have changed and how they have not.

I liked the movie. They should have more like this.

I confess, I love re-union movies. So despite everything, I enjoyed this one. The characters are all a bit exaggerated here and some of them border on the bizarre (especially Lara Flynn Boyle), which makes it all the more fun. Most re-union movies tend to be rather dark in their outlook and this one is no exception. Everyone meets again after ten years, everyone has aged, some have lost their hair, some have lost the potential they showed in high school. Our hero here has mostly lost his sense of humor and become "mean" as his friends (and wife) tell him. Why do re-union movies always manage to strike a chord? Because we all empathize with them. and yes, they provide huge scope for characterization and drama, which this movie manages to do quite well. Though, I must add, it's no patch on the really great re-union movies like The Big Chill.