To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday (1996)

User Rating:

5.6/10   

Director:

Michael Pressman

Writers (WGA):

Michael Brady (play)
David E. Kelley (screenplay)

Release Date:

18 October 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Tagline:

You're invited to Gillian's 37th birthday. There will be music in the air...castles in the sand...and someone totally unexpected at the party.

Plot:

David loves his wife, Gillian. Unfortunately, she died two years ago. David deals with his grief by...

Plot Keywords:

Grief | Ghost | Drowning | Psychological Drama | Bereavement

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Peter Gallagher	...	David Lewis
Michelle Pfeiffer	...	Gillian Lewis
Claire Danes	...	Rachel Lewis
Laurie Fortier	...	Cindy Bayles
Wendy Crewson	...	Kevin Dollof
Bruce Altman	...	Paul Wheeler
Kathy Baker	...	Esther Wheeler
Freddie Prinze Jr.	...	Joey Bost
Rachel Seidman-Lockamy	...	Megan Weeks
Lorielle New	...	Blonde on the Beach (as Lori New)
Danny Crook	...	Lifeguard
Seth Green	...	Danny
Todd Haven	...	Paramedic

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for a scene involving strong language, and for some sensuality and teen drinking.

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Sound Mix:

SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:L | South Korea:15 | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | France:U | Portugal:M/12 (video premiere) | Spain:13 | UK:12 (video premiere) | USA:PG-13 (edited for re-rating) | Singapore:PG | Canada:14A (Ontario)

Filming Locations:

Brant Point Lighthouse, Nantucket, Massachusetts, USA

Company:

Rastar Pictures

Trivia:

Freddie Prinze Jr.'s feature film debut.

Quotes:

Esther Wheeler: He will be all right. It's just, he really loved her.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The Holiday (2006)

Soundtrack:

Heartbeat Crazy

Surprisingly touching film with a great script!

I can vaguely recall when this movie was released nationwide in 1996. The title struck me as odd and aside from the fact that I wanted to see/hear how James Horner would conduct another exceptional score, I had no desire to see the film. After recently viewing To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday, I am disappointed that I didn't see it in the theater. Peter Gallagher, Claire Daines, and Bruce Altman all deliver marvelous performances. Michelle Pfieffer was a nice surprise (she's always "nice") as she plays her part to perfection! One of the best things about this film is the fact that you're not sure whether or not what you are seeing is real or whether it's just what's in David's (Gallagher) mind. Whichever way you believe, it's an amazingly touching film and at times it's even powerful. Great dialogue, great directing, and a great score from Horner (again), make this a truly GREAT film!