THE FRIEND at New York Film Festival
by Jason Godbey
“The more suicidal people there are in the world, the less suicidal people there are in the world.” That was something Walter used to say, before he killed himself.
Walter (Bill Murray) is an author and professor with two ex-wives, a daughter, and several literary works to his name. When he unexpectedly kills himself, his best friend Iris (Naomi Watts) is left picking up the pieces, editing his last written work and inheriting his Great Dane, Apollo.
That’s the very simple but effective premise of The Friend, directed by Scott McGehee and David Siegel. It sounds like it could be a wacky comedy a la Turner and Hooch or a million other movies in which a dog and a movie star must learn to live together, but this film is a character-driven drama about grief and the grieving process.
It’s a touching film that owes a lot to the performances of Watts and the ensemble of heavy hitters including: Ann Dowd, Carla Gugino, Constance Wu, Sarah Pidgeon, and Noma Dumezweni, but this is really Watts’ movie, along with Bing the canine actor who plays Apollo. Many of the scenes are just Iris and Apollo learning to live together, and all of their scenes work amazingly well considering one of them couldn’t have read the script.
This is a real New York story. Living in New York often creates some rather interesting living arrangements. Iris is alone in the world, no partner, no children, and when Walter’s widow refuses to keep Apollo, he is alone as well. Iris’s apartment building doesn’t allow pets, so in addition to her existential crisis, she is being threatened with eviction. The answer seems simple, just find a new home for the dog and go back to the way things were, but the simple solution isn’t an easy one. Over time, Iris and Apollo form a strong bond. They have something in common. They’ve both lost their best friend, and they need each other in a way neither can seem to express in words.
One criticism of the film would be the pacing. At two hours, The Friend seems like it may not end. There are a few moments that feel like they might be natural places for the story to end, but it just doesn’t. The pace can feel a bit labored, and the dialogue seems like it belongs more to a play than a film, but the performances are so strong and the story so good that you’ll feel its impact long after you leave the theater.
If you’re in the mood for non-stop action or a laugh riot, this movie isn’t for you. But if you’ve ever dealt with the loss of a loved-one, or if you’ve ever loved a pet that’s helped you get through some tough times, this may be the perfect film for you.
The Friend is currently screening at the the New York Film Festival at Lincoln Center.
Originally published at http://behindtherabbitproductions.wordpress.com on October 3, 2024.
