Scott McGehee and David Siegel’s “The Good friend” begins with Invoice Murray enjoying Walter, a celebrated writer, on a jog one morning in New York Metropolis.
With the cityscape behind him, Walter makes an surprising flip and sees a powerful Nice Dane sitting by himself and and not using a collar.
Walter adopts the canine and names him Apollo, a lot to the amusement of his outdated pals, Iris (Naomi Watts), amongst them. When Walter dies (this isn’t a spoiler- it occurs instantly and Murray’s character and great efficiency are offered in flashbacks), Iris is requested by his widow to undertake Apollo, who’s clearly mourning Walter’s demise as a lot as everybody else.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpgLdI–F9M
“The Good friend” is humorous with out ever changing into broad or slapstick, melancholy however by no means miserable, considerate and observant with out changing into pretentious, soulful when it might have been pressured. As a result of Iris and Apollo are handled like actual characters and never inevitable plot units, the movie has a freshness when it might have settled for being a cutesy canine film.
Each doubtlessly foolish, slapstick chance with the story is averted, as Apollo is offered as a deeply felt character and never a gimmick. It’s a daring, good selection, among the many many right here. Amongst different accomplishments, this is among the greatest movies I’ve ever seen about {our relationships} with canines.
The canine emerges as a posh character and never fodder for response photographs. I really like Benji and Beethoven as a lot as any filmgoer, however the selections made right here sidestep all temptation to go for simple laughs and corny response photographs.
“The Good friend” is a chic, mild drama that advantages as a lot from the soulful performances from Watts and Murray as a lot as the shortage of cutesy mawkishness.
Watts by no means pushes to convey her feelings, as Iris is a unusual character, however appears this manner due to life and never a Hollywood contrivance. I’ve been a fan of Watts since “Mulholland Dr.” (2001) and that is one other main spotlight.
Likewise, Murray, who’s as soon as once more extraordinary in a personality position he captures effortlessly.
We perceive why everyone seems to be clearly in awe of Walter however his relationship with Iris clearly runs very deep. There’s an honesty to the screenplay that’s mirrored within the power of the performances.
Regardless of the presence of Invoice Murray and Naomi Watts #TIFF24 Worldwide Premiere THE FRIEND is de facto about Bing, the Nice Dane. At present we salute all of the canine co-stars who actually, most likely deserved prime billing. pic.twitter.com/piJHzFDAUF
— TIFF (@TIFF_NET) September 6, 2024
For the document, Apollo is performed by a Nice Dane named Bing, who emerges as one of many 12 months’s most adorable characters (and no, you don’t should be a canine individual to like this film). “The Good friend” made me consider current losses in my life and the way a lot that means and friendship my canine has introduced me.
Particularly, an amazing mentor in my life died not way back, and his absence has taken an enormous chew out of me. I assumed I had much more time with him, and now I discover myself asking so many questions that I’ll by no means get solutions to.
He was, like Murray’s character, imposing, humorous, beloved by most who knew him and a celebrated writer and scholar. Being unable to hold on conversations with him has been troublesome, as I usually surprise what he’d really feel about, properly, something.
Murray’s Walter is in some way each a real good friend to Iris and an actual enigma, which is precisely how I really feel a few related good friend whose absence has been so troublesome.
Like Watt’s character, I’ve discovered such that means and pleasure in bringing a canine into my life. In my case, it’s my Charlotte, a tiny white Maltese whose tiny stature however huge presence and perspective brings a lot to me daily. Charlotte has this tendency to sleep subsequent to me and, when she sees I’ve woken from a jarring nightmare, she attracts herself even nearer.
She’s been doing this for years now. “The Good friend” is about this type of bond, the odd however plain connection between human and canine,
A few of this will likely play as maudlin at occasions and I used to be unsure by the center if the entire thing would pull collectively, however it completely does. Having seen it twice, I’m amazed not solely how properly the filmmakers and forged have pulled it off however how pure and unforced the story performs.
I’ve learn the 2018 novel of the identical title by Sigrid Nunez however I loved the movie far more.
The sequence the place Watts goes to a psychiatrist to greatest perceive how she and Apollo have helped one another showcases a few of her greatest work. The ultimate scene might have a couple of interpretation – likewise, a sequence the place writing permits for the protagonist to go to her greatest good friend one final time.
“The Good friend” is out of step with most 2025 movies, within the sense that it’s affected person, observant, smart and deeply shifting in ways in which come from troublesome character choices and never paint-by-numbers screenwriting.
This can be a particular movie, one of the best movie about writers since “Marvel Boys” (2000) and one of many most interesting of 2025.
4 Stars