David Lewis (Peter Gallagher) lost his wife Gillian (Michelle Pfeiffer) two years ago in a boating accident. He is now angry and won't get over her. It's the traditional weekend Gillian's birthday bash, and they're still carry out the tradition. Her sister Esther Wheeler (Kathy Baker) and her husband Paul (Bruce Altman) wrangle Kevin Dollof (Wendy Crewson) to join them. Meanwhile her daughter Rachel (Claire Danes) brings her sexy friend Cindy (Laurie Fortier) to the beach house, and catches the attention of mystery boy Joey Bost (Freddie Prinze Jr.)

Adapted from a play by David E. Kelley, this has the feel of a talkative play at times. The great thing in this movie is the great actors involved. They bring the characters to life. The only exception may be Wendy Crewson who seems to be overwhelmed and underwhelming.

The weakest part of the movie is actually the conversations with Gillian. They're bland and drags the movie down. It's better to not see the conversations and just imagine them. It would be so much better to see him walking around talking to himself. It would elevate the mental illness angle, and make the danger of losing Rachel even greater.

To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday (1996): Dir: Michael Pressman / Cast: Michelle Pfeiffer, Peter Gallagher, Claire Danes, Kathy Baker, Bruce Altman: Confusing film starring Peter Gallagher whose wife, played by Michelle Pfeiffer dies in a sailing accident. After a year he begins to see her image leaving those around him to voice concerns on his parental rights. Pfeiffer appears numerous times including a confusing dream sequence. Miserable screenplay with an uninspiring ending. Directing by Michael Pressman is dreadful with Pfeiffer completely wasted in a role of no given goal. What is she attempting to prove here? Perhaps messing with her widowed husband is some sort of kick. Why not do something positive, like leave the film and find somebody elses birthday to screw up? Gallagher is the one sensible casting seeing that he plays a guy struggling with the death of his wife. The downfall is that he is screwed over by his greedy pig-headed so- called friends. Claire Danes has nightmares and does other weird sh*t that involves appearing in this film. Kathy Baker plays one of those friends that you do not invite back again. She desires to take child custody away from Gallagher because he is grieving. What kind of selfish tyrant does that? Theme regards dealing with death. Someone should send Gillian a decent screenplay for her 38th birthday. Score: 2 ½ / 10

"To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday" is yet another of "life among the elite" movies. It's about a distraught affluent teacher David Lewis (Peter Gallagher) who continues to mourn the loss of his wife Gillian (Michele Pfeiffer) two years after the fact. She had been killed in an accident aboard their yacht.

David walks the beach in front of his beach house apparently talking to the ghost of his wife much to the fears of their teen aged daughter Rachel (Clare Danes),On the anniversary of Gillian's death and her birthday, a fun in the sun weekend at David's island beach house is planned. Sister in law Esther Wheeler (Kathy Bates) and her husband Paul (Bruce Altman) have brought along a friend Kevin (Kevin?) Dollof Wendy Crewson) for David unbeknownst to her. also along is Rachel's friend Cindy Bayles (Laurie Fortier).

Esther is concerned over David's continuing walks on the beach and wants to have Rachel come live with them. Kevin is embarrassed over the attempted match making and informs David that he is not her type. Rachel is having problems dealing with her father's grief.

Rachel accepts a date with Joey Bost (Freddie Prinze Jr.) a ring through the nose/ear ring teen. He takes her to a beach party and gets her drunk. David is not impressed yet still continues to meet his wife from beyond the sea. Esther threatens court action to gain custody of Rachel. Davis begins to see how is actions are affecting his family.

Cindy with whom Paul has been flirting, calls his bluff. This causes Paul to take a second look at his own marriage. At the end of the weekend Rachel decides to go to the main land with the wheelers. David is then forced to make a life changing decision and.......................

A bit of a tear jerker with Danes standing out.