Just Friends (Blu-ray Review)
- Review Date: May 27, 2025
- Format: Blu-ray Disc
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Director
Roger KumbleRelease Date(s)
2005 (April 8, 2025)Studio(s)
New Line Cinema (Warner Archive Collection)- Film/Program Grade: B-
- Video Grade: A
- Audio Grade: A
- Extras Grade: A
Review
[Editor’s Note: A very small amount of discs that were initially shipped out to customers contained errors that have now been corrected. If you purchased this release and it contains stereo audio and only a trailer as an extra, you’re eligible for a replacement disc. To receive instructions on how to acquire one, e-mail Movie Zyng (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) with your original receipt, even if you purchased the disc elsewhere, and they will assist you.]
When does friendship turn into something more? That’s the underlying question and theme of Just Friends, a broad comedy that follows the lives of a number of young people ten years after their high school graduation.
When we first meet him, Chris Brander (Ryan Reynolds) is an overweight New Jersey high school senior regarded by most of his peers as a loser. Only one, Jamie Palomino (Amy Smart), offers him comfort. Defying the “mean girl” stereotype, the beautiful Jamie is sensitive and kindhearted. They become best buddies and Chris begins to think of her as more than a friend but lacks the courage to say so. Outwardly, Chris is a disaster—overweight with a dopey haircut and an awkward grin—but he has heart, and Jamie is his secret love.
At a graduation party, Jamie’s yearbook falls into the wrong hands and the personal message of affection Chris wrote in it is read aloud, to the cruel, mocking laughter of the crowd. Though Jamie doesn’t reciprocate Chris’ feelings, she’s touched by the message. Chris cannot bear this humiliation and leaves town.
Ten years later, Chris is trim and well groomed, a successful music industry executive, and a “player” with his pick of beautiful women. While attempting to sign Samantha James (Anna Faris), a pop star of limited talent and an outsize ego, a fire on their airplane forces it to land in New Jersey. This gives Chris an excuse to look up Jamie and perhaps muster the courage he couldn’t years earlier. But first, he must shake the clingy Samantha. Luckily, Chris’ younger brother, Mike (Christopher Marquette), is all too happy to serve as Samantha’s unofficial chaperone/companion.
Though Reynolds is top-billed, Faris steals the show as the self-centered, air-headed pop star. She elicits the best comic moments with her unbridled portrayal of a spoiled yet enchanting celeb. With a privileged attitude that doesn’t quite compute in Jersey, she gets into numerous mishaps, providing some slapstick highlights. Faris has great comic timing and gets laughs without over-reaching. Her willingness to do whatever it takes contributes to a ditsy characterization with undeniable charm, providing a memorable, loopy character.
Reynolds is okay as Chris and has some good moments with Marquette as his brother. Getting together, they revert to their younger selves, play fighting and trying to best each other. As the adolescent Chris, Reynolds is wonderfully goofy in a fat suit and prosthetic facial appliances, and ably conveys Chris’ heartsick feelings. There’s definite chemistry between him and Amy Smart, which makes it believable that Jamie and Chris are soul mates.
Smart is fun to watch, especially as she cavorts on her bed with Chis, almost as if she’s having a sleepover with a female friend. She regards Chris as totally non-threatening. When he shows up in town after a decade’s absence, she initially hides, feeling bad that she was the cause of his quick departure. Smart plays Jamie as the down-to-earth girl next door, but with an edge. She’s even-tempered, but shows her anger when Samantha, feeling abandoned by Chris, acts up.
Christopher Marquette adds a considerable dose of broad silliness as Mike, Chris’ younger brother. He has a way of commanding a scene with his natural charm and over-the-top performance. And it’s always nice to encounter Julie Hagerty, this time as Chris’ mother, who has a habit of greeting people with screams of delight. Sadly, her role is underwritten. Chris Klein appears as Dusty Dinkleman, another loser from the past who exhibits self-confidence totally lacking in high school. Klein has a bit too much screen time toward the final third of the film, when an emphasis on Dusty sidetracks the main narrative.
Just Friends was shot by director of photography Anthony B. Richmond on 35 mm film with Arricam LT, Arricam ST, and Arriflex 435 cameras with Angenieux Optimo lenses, processed by Deluxe, Hollywood, and presented in the aspect ratio of 1.85:1. Because the film is fairly recent, it hasn’t been restored as have older films under the Warner Archive Collection banner. The picture is very good, with no perceptible imperfections. Reynolds’ make-up, even in close-up, looks convincing and allows the actor to convey facial expressions and react believably. Editing is especially effective in a scene when luminous Christmas decorations meet their demise.
The soundtrack is English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio. English SDH subtitles are an option. Dialogue is clear and distinct. Dusty speaks hesitantly to suggest his social awkwardness. Faris adopts a tone of spoiled privilege and embraces her character’s celebrity, insisting on always being the center of attention. Marquette has a high-pitched scream that he uses in a few scenes to comic effect. Sound effects include car engines, small fires crackling, minor explosions, and sounds of a physical tussle.
Bonus materials on the Blu-ray release from Warner Archive include the following:
- Audio Commentary with Roger Kumble, Adam “Tex” Davis, Chris Bender, Jake Weiner, Richard Brener, and Cale Boyter
- The Transformation (5:28)
- A Director’s Guide to Comedy (7:46)
- Developing Just Friends (7:41)
- The Reshoots (2:30)
- It’s Friggin’ Cold (5:01)
- A Writer’s Journey (8:36)
- A Disaster in the Making (8:34)
- Tales from the Friend Zone (3:43)
- The Body Shake (3:52)
- The Cheer (3:44)
- Red Bulb Records (2:12)
- Deleled/Alternate Scenes (12:03)
- Jamie Smiles Music Video (2:59)
- Samantha James Music Video (1:59)
- Gag Reel (2:54)
- Trailer (2:23)
Audio Commentary – Director Roger Kumble, writer Adam “Tex” Davis, producer Chris Bender, co-producer Jake Weiner, and executive producers Richard Brener and Cale Boyterand speak about casting various roles. Ryan Reynolds’ character had to be humiliated in the early part of the film to make his journey more striking. The film was shot in Regina, Saskatchewan, which stood in for New Jersey even though director Kumble wasn’t sure Canada would pass for the Garden State. However, Kumble notes, the Regina crew was “marvelous.” The script was based on events in the life of producer Chris Bender. Make-up tests were done to make Dusty (in an early scene) look homely. There were parts of the film in which Kumble wanted the audience to connect with Chris on an emotional level. They use the term “one-er,” a shot that has no coverage—no other angles to cut to in editing. The commentary is free-wheeling as the participants enjoy reminiscing about their roles in production and memorable moments during filming. The commentary isn’t filled with solid making-of information, but this is made up for in the numerous featurettes devoted to specific aspects of production.
The Transformation – It took a “three-hour ordeal” to get Ryan Reynolds into facial prosthetics and a curly wig. The fat suit was extremely hot and required cool air to be pumped in between takes.
A Director’s Guide to Comedy – Director Roger Kumble and several actors from Just Friends speak about the relationship of director to performers. Kumble preferred to call “Reset,” enabling the camera to continue rolling as the actors repeated the scene. In that way, Kumble had many choices to pick from during editing.
Developing Just Friends – Screenwriter Adam Davis speaks of basing the concept for the film on experiences he had in college and a two-year “friend” relationship with a girl he liked more than as a friend.
The Reshoots – The film was tested with an audience. It did well, but the director felt it could use a few extra scenes. They kept the Samantha character “crazy” because the audience loved her.
It’s Friggin’ Cold – The crew filmed in Regina, Sashkatchewan where, according to various cast and crew members, the temperature ranged from 20 to 50 degrees below zero. Camera gears had to be heated to prevent them from freezing. Footage of outdoor shooting is shown.
A Writer’s Journey – Writer Adam Davis expresses his respect for actors who bring the script to life. He speaks about his process in enlivening his Jersey metal-head character in the film by trying different outfits and looks.
A Disaster in the Making – The film’s production designer speaks about the months of planning to create the film’s comic set piece. Most of the budget went to this scene. Director Kumble had a vision of a decorative reindeer on fire being dragged down the street. Hundreds of shots comprise the sequence. Four cameras were used to capture the action from various angles.
Tales from the Friend Zone – Crew members speak about being the “friend guy.” If they tried to move the relationship forward and it failed, they could never go back. They speak about getting the “friend talk.” The friend is often a wing man for the popular guy.
The Body Shake – This is the awkward hug at the end of the evening—the “big, horrible mess of arms, legs, head, and torso quivering together. It looks like Jell-O in an earthquake.”
The Cheer – The Cookie Monster cheer was located online, taught to the actors and used in the film.
Red Bulb Records – The setting up and rehearsing of the scene in which Chris passes through the lobby of the record company and has an awkward encounter with a former business connection, is shown.
Deleted/Alternate Scenes – Six scenes are shown: Red Bulb Records, Day Date, The Cheer, Christmas Eve, Christmas, and Alternate Ending.
Ryan Reynolds may not have been the best choice for the role of Chris. In later scenes, he looks somewhat adrift and unfocused. His chemistry with Amy Smart fortunately works, but apart form his early scenes as the overweight Chris, his performance never ignites comic sparks. Just Friends is consciously silly and is essentially enjoyable, though the outcome is obvious early on. Director Roger Kumble elicits laughs, mostly thanks to Faris’ screwball portrayal. If you’re willing to accept that 30-year-old actors are high school seniors, you can go with the flow and enjoy the comic hijinks.
- Dennis Seuling