In the same vein as Edward Burns s previous films (The Brothers McMullen She s the One) the Groomsmen explores the difference between getting older and growing up. Written directed by and starring Burns the film takes place in the days leading up to the wedding of Long Island-born Paulie (Burns). Joining Paulie for a week of alcohol-soaked bonding prior to the big day are his older brother Jimbo (Donal Logue) local buddy Des (Matthew Lillard) Cousin Mike (Jay Mohr) and long-absent childhood friend T.C. (John Leguizamo). While Paulie deals with a classic case of cold feet in anticipation of marrying his pregnant Fiancé (Brittany Murphy) his groomsmen are inspired to deal with demons of their own. While the simple story here is pretty familiar territory things are kept fresh thanks to an authentic sense of location and stellar performances by Jay Mohr as the perpetually childlike Mike (who at age 33 still lives at home with his father) and by Matthew Lillard as family guy Des the one character in the film who seems to have come to grips with his own adulthood.
