Themes: Women's Friendship, Thirtysomething Life, Class Differences
Main Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Joan Cusack, Catherine Keener, Frances McDormand, Jason Isaacs
Release Year: 2006
Country: US
Run Time: 88 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
A single woman envies the security of her married friends, while they in turn dream of her freedom in this comedy drama. Olivia (Jennifer Aniston) is a single woman in her mid-thirties who feels she's reached a crossroads in her life. Unhappy with her career as a teacher, Olivia quits and takes a job as a maid until she sorts out her feelings. However, Olivia feels as if she could use some support, both personal and financial, from her best friends, all of whom at very least have more in the bank than she does. But that's not to say they don't have problems of their own. Christine (Catherine Keener) and her husband Patrick (Jason Isaacs) are screenwriters who have discovered that collaborating is more stress than they can deal with. Jane (Frances McDormand) is married to Aaron (Simon McBurney); they work together as designers, but while their professional relationship is cordial, they've become numb to one another as lovers and friends. And Franny (Joan Cusack) and Matt (Greg Germann) are a couple who comfortably support themselves and their children thanks to an inherited fortune; while their material needs are met, emotionally they can barely handle marriage and parenthood. Friends With Money was written and directed by Nicole Holofcener, who previously made the acclaimed independent features Walking and Talking and Lovely & Amazing. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Scott Caan - Mike; Simon McBurney - Aaron; Greg Germann - Matt; Ty Burrell - Other Aaron; Bob Stephenson - Marty; Timm Sharp - Richard; Hailey Johnson - Tammy; Jake Cherry - Wyatt; Marin Hinkle - Maya; Troy Ruptash - Brad; Elizabeth Keener - Lancome Saleswoman; John Srednicki - Lancome Salesman; Mitch Rouse - Raymond; Christine Mourad - Edie; Jenn Fee - Debbie Lazarus; Max Burkholder - Max; Alejandra Flores - Maria; Maulik Pancholy - Flirtacious Waiter; Jane Elizabeth Mendez - Deli Woman; Kristen Minter - Oblivious Mom; Bobby Coleman - Marcus; Tonita Castro - Teresa; Lleen Getz - Maria; Reggie Austin - Old Navy Shopper; Yafit Hallely - Old Navy Shopper; Michael Lawson - Old Navy Employee; Wade Allain-Marcus - Old Navy Manager; Fernando Nieto - Construction Worker; Romy Rosemont - Gretchen; K.C. Clyde - Waiter; Wendy Phillips - Fundraiser Host; Will Keenan - Man; Hallie Foote - Woman
Credit
Victoria Ruskin - Art Director, Stephen H. Carter - Art Director, Jeanne McCarthy - Casting, Michael Wilkinson - Costume Designer, Drew Ann Rosenberg - First Assistant Director, Maria Mantia - First Assistant Director, Nicole Holofcener - Director, Robert Frazen - Editor, Ted Hope - Executive Producer, Ray Angelic - Executive Producer, Anne Carey - Executive Producer, Gayle Vangrofsky - Location Manager, Becky Brake - Location Manager, Rickie Lee Jones - Composer (Music Score), Craig Richey - Composer (Music Score), Tracy McKnight - Musical Direction/Supervision, John Skotchdopole - Camera Operator, Danny Moder - Camera Operator, Joe Collins - Camera Operator, Amy B. Ancona - Production Designer, Terry Stacey - Cinematographer, Ted Hope - Producer, Anne Carey - Producer, Brain Smyi - Stunts Coordinator, Ray Angelic - Unit Production Manager, Nicole Holofcener - Screenwriter, Carol Dantuono - Post Production Supervisor, Erica Kay - Production Supervisor, Marjorie Ergas - Production Supervisor, Peter Bankins - Properties Master, Diedre Kane - Properties Master, Derek Marcil - Re-Recording Mixer, Gary J. Coppola - Re-Recording Mixer, Sheila Waldron - Script Supervisor, Lori Grabowski - Script Supervisor, Maria Mantia - Second Assistant Director, Gary S. Rake - Second Assistant Director, Cormac Funge - Supervising Sound Editor, Evans Brown - Chief Lighting Technician, Steven Ramsey - Chief Lighting Technician, Christopher M. Ridino - Construction Coordinator, Kate Quinlan - Costumes Supervisor, Frances Mathias - Key Hairstylist, Victor De Nicola Jr. - Key Hairstylist, Carla White - Key Make-up, Amy Schmiederer - Key Make-up, David Melito - Production Accountant, Buzz Image Group - Visual Effects, Maria Nay - Set Decorator, Carol Silverman - Set Decorator, X Position Group - Featured Music, Pud Cusack - Production Sound Mixer, Medusah - Department Head Hair, Jean A. Black - Department Head Makeup
Olivia (Jennifer Aniston) is a single, cash-strapped woman working as a maid in Los Angeles in order to make ends meet. She is surrounded by a support network of well-off friends consisting of Franny (Joan Cusack) - a stay at home mom with a large trust fund; Christine (Catherine Keener) - a successful television writer; Jane (Frances McDormand) - a fashion designer; and their respective husbands.
While the disparity in financial situations between Olivia and her friends creates some friction, each woman is facing her own individual struggles. Olivia can't seem to find love or money and resorts to questionable tactics to satisfy both. Franny's inherited money sometimes causes tension between her and her accountant husband, who likes to spend it. Christine's marriage is falling apart because she and her husband can't communicate effectively. Finally, Jane is becoming increasingly unpleasant to be around, possibly because of perimenopause and her husband's sexual ambiguity. Together, these women attend charity benefits, have lunch, lean on each other, and wade their way through life.
Box office
In its opening weekend, the film grossed a total of $4.96 million, ranking tenth at the North Americanbox office, and has gone on to gross a total of $12.978 million - receiving a limited release in most weeks (under 600 screens).
Critical reception
The film received generally positive reviews from critics. The review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported that 70 percent of critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 141 reviews.[1]Metacritic reported the film had an average score of 68 out of 100, based on 38 reviews.[2]
