Friends With Money (2006)

O An excellent must-see
X Good video rental
O Mediocre
O Rent something else

Review by Jason Pyles / July 28, 2007

“Friends With Money” is a pensive, reflective drama about a sad group of people. These friends have weightier problems than the group of “Friends” that we usually associate Jennifer Aniston with. If you like stories that are sketches about characters who are tangible people, then buy some Ben & Jerry’s and rent “Friends With Money.”

Olivia (Jennifer Aniston) is unmarried and works as a cleaning lady, much to the chagrin of her rich friends. She used to be a teacher, but kids say the darndest things. She likes smoking marijuana, free cosmetic samples and wishful thinking about finding the right guy.

Olivia’s wealthy friends are a mostly motley crew: Jane (Frances McDormand, “Fargo”) is a clothing designer who is “falling down,” much like Michael Douglas’s William Foster. She is married to the effeminate Aaron (Simon McBurney), who is one of the movie’s nicest characters but is highly sought after by gay men.

Christine and David are co-writers whose home improvements are almost as insensitive as their marriage. Franny and Matt are semi-normal, self-absorbed and determined to rope their cronies into attending the culminating fundraiser dinner.

There are other interesting individuals whom you will meet, should you see this movie. As for the editing, the drugs and gay themes are recurring, but “Friends With Money” has otherwise been rendered benign.

Directed by Nicole Holofcener
Jennifer Aniston / Frances McDormand / Jake Cherry
88 min. Drama
(Original MPAA rating: R)
Edited version age recommendation: 15 and up

DVD release date: August 29, 2006
Copyright 2007.
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