There are certain things Edward Burns will never be able to do — writing believable female characters heads that list — and certain things that, under the right circumstances, he does very well — writing compelling guy talk, for example. This is probably what makes him at times such a divisive figure: when a filmmaker exhibits expertise in particular areas, his shortcomings in other areas have a tendency to stand out. Luckily, Burns's new film is called The Groomsmen, and there doesn't appear to be a bridesmaid in sight, so he's operating in his element.
    This time, the story focuses on soon-to-be-a-father-and-husband Paulie (Burns), a successful thirty-something guy who appears to have never left his suburban New York neighborhood, keeping in close contact with his closest buds, the groomsmen of the title. These are morose brother Jimbo (Donal Logue), unreliable, short-fused cousin Mike (Jay Mohr) and unrepentant family man Dez (Matthew Lillard). Another old chum, T.C. (John Leguizamo) comes back to town to join in the festivities, after years spent away.
    Needless to say, there's a reason why T.C. left. There's also a reason why Jimbo is so downcast, and there's also a reason why Mike is such a fuckup. As with Burns's breakout The Brothers McMullen, there are a number of vaguely soap opera-ish subplots here, but the real pleasure of the film is in watching these actors trade barbs and pal around the way middle-class suburban New York guys presumably do. It's to Burns's credit as a director that he gets genuinely touching performances out of actors previously known for just playing goofballs — Lillard, in particular, makes for a shockingly engaging father of two and an unlikely dispenser of paternal wisdom. It's far from perfect, but The Groomsmen might be Burns's most charming movie in years. — Bilge Ebiri