`Friends’ in need: They’re hits on TV – but mere blips on the big screen

By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Sun-Times
March 5, 1998

Where have all the “Friends” fans gone?

Sure, millions of fans tune in each week to watch the comely sextet sort out their problems in their impossibly spacious Manhattan apartments. But when it comes to the stars’ films, fans seem to prefer staying home sipping cappuccinos.

“Friends” airs at 7 p.m. Thursdays on WMAQ-Channel 5, a key part of the network’s vaunted “Must-See TV” lineup. When the half-hour comedy premiered in fall, 1994, the popular series seemed destined to spawn six successful film careers.  Wrong-o.  With the exception of Courteney Cox, who has a supporting role in “Scream” and “Scream 2,” the rest of her friends haven’t been able to translate their TV fame onto the big screen.

Case in point: David Schwimmer’s “Kissing a Fool” opened to lackluster response last week. Besides getting critically slammed, it bore the distinction of being last weekend’s least popular film opening in wide release, with a gross of $2.3 million.

Schwimmer’s friends Jennifer Aniston (“Picture Perfect”), Matthew Perry (“Fools Rush In”) and Lisa Kudrow (“Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion”) fared somewhat better. Their respective films ranked as the 66th, 67th and 68th top grossing movies of 1997, way behind “Men in Black” (No. 1), but well ahead of the critically acclaimed “Boogie Nights” (No. 80), “Eve’s Bayou” (No. 102), “The Ice Storm” (No. 126) and “She’s So Lovely” (No. 128).

TV stars cashing in on their fame is nothing new. Another NBC favorite, Helen Hunt, is a hit in both markets. The star of the sitcom “Mad About You” has been nominated for a best-actress Oscar for “As Good as It Gets” and also starred in the commercial blockbuster “Twister.” But for every Claire Danes who gets a so-called film life, or a Michael Douglas who leaves the streets of San Francisco for Hollywood’s A-list, Los Angeles is littered with the failed film careers of such wannabes as Tom Selleck, Ted Danson and Shelley Long.

So for now, Monica, Rachel, Chandler, Ross, Phoebe and Joey shouldn’t venture too far from their comfy TV digs. It’s a sure thing.

THE ONE WITH THE THESPIAN

Of all the “Friends,” Northwestern grad David Schwimmer was supposed to have the most promising film career.  After all, he is a co-founder of Chicago’s Lookingglass Theatre Company and won a Joseph Jefferson Award for his  direction of “The Jungle.”  He’s a serious actor.  Then out came “The Pallbearer,” which stiffed at the box office two years ago. Fans found his character to be a lovable loser, not unlike Ross on “Friends.” But critics viewed the film as a pale imitation of “The Graduate.” He plays a cad in his latest, “Kissing a  Fool,” where he’s overshadowed by co-star Jason Lee (“Chasing Amy”). However, things may be on an upswing for Schwimmer.  Besides starring in “Apt Pupil,” Schwimmer has a co-starring role in Harrison Ford’s “Six Days, Seven Nights.” Ironically, he’ll play Anne Heche’s fiance. Ross, of course, was married to a lesbian on the first season of “Friends,” and Heche is Ellen DeGeneres’ real-life lover, and . . . oh, could we be any clearer?

THE ONE WITH THE HAIRNone of Jennifer Aniston’s films have been blockbusters, but the actress has carved out a nice little niche for herself. For her first extracurricular project, Aniston – whose career was in danger of being eclipsed by her hairstyle – selected a co-starring role in Ed Burns’ “She’s the One.” Playing the wife of a philanderer, Aniston showed something she rarely gets to display as Rachel on “Friends”: strength. Next, Aniston starred opposite Kevin Bacon in “Picture Perfect.”  But not many moviegoers believed she would ever have to hire a man to pretend he was her boyfriend.  She’ll next star as a pregnant woman who falls in love with her gay roommate (Paul Rudd of “Clueless”) in “Object of My Affection.”

THE ONE WITH THE SCREAMSThanks to “Scream,” “Scream 2” and undoubtedly “Scream 3” next year, Courteney Cox can count herself as the only “Friend” to have blockbuster films on her resume.  Playing a pushy television reporter (is there any other kind?) in the hip slasher flicks, Cox is aggressively funny and confident, something her character Monica isn’t on “Friends.” (Cox also played Jim Carrey’s girlfriend in her pre-“Friends” flick “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.”)  She didn’t fare nearly as well in last year’s “Commandments” with Aidan Quinn, which should’ve followed the credo: “Thou shalt not be boring.”

THE ONE WITH THE DITZIt was her ditzy turn as the inept waitress Ursula on “Mad About You” that helped Lisa Kudrow land the role of Phoebe – Ursula’s twin – on “Friends.” Unfortunately, the Emmy-nominated actress didn’t venture too far from her TV counterparts in last year’s “Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion,” where she starred opposite Oscar-winner Mira Sorvino.  A smart actress with great comedic timing, Kudrow tackles a more serious side in the upcoming indie film “Clockwatchers,” with co-stars Toni Collette (“Muriel’s Wedding”) and Parker Posey (“House of Yes”).

THE ONE WITH THE MONKEYMatt LeBlanc had the misfortune of signing on to film “Ed” shortly before he became a star on “Friends.” Even his television alter-ego – struggling actor Joey Tribbiani – wouldn’t have agreed to star in that stinker. By the time the movie was released, all LeBlanc could do was grin and bear it. LeBlanc starred as a baseball player assigned to watch over a rookie teammate – a monkey named, you guessed it, Ed.  He should fare better in the upcoming “Lost in Space,” where he’ll play dashing Don West.  Whether he can hold his own against co-star Gary Oldman is yet to be seen.

THE ONE WITH THE GLIB GUYLike Kudrow, Matthew Perry didn’t stray too far from familiar territory when he signed on for “Fools Rush In.” His character here could’ve been the brother of “Friend” Chandler Bing. The premise: Perry has a one-night fling with Salma Hayek, who gets pregnant, so they get married.  The good news? Perry’s film career isn’t dead. He has a role in the upcoming “Almost Heroes.” The bad news? It’s a starring vehicle for the late Chris Farley.