Should love canine. No, actually.
“The Good friend” is a testomony to grief, loneliness and the bonds past conventional romance. All the above hinges on a Nice Dane that could be our most interesting animal actor, the Laurence Olivier of the canine set.
When you can’t stand sharing house with a four-footed beast, “The Good friend” received’t land as required. If a canine ever turned an integral a part of your loved ones, you’ll sit and keep for this “Good friend.”
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpgLdI–F9M
Naomi Watts stars as Iris, a novelist affected by author’s block and, extra importantly, the sudden demise of a detailed good friend.
Can we’ve a moratorium on New York-based tales centered round writers, not to mention scribes affected by author’s block?
Finish of rant.
The misplaced “good friend” is Walter (Invoice Murray), a thrice-married author who had lovely ladies orbiting his larger-than-life persona.
Walter doesn’t get a lot display time – his demise occurs early within the movie – however it helps immeasurably that Murray performs him. Who else however the “Ghostbusters” alum might engender such fierce loyalty in wives, ex-wives, former lovers and, most of all, Iris?
He did go away Iris with a parting reward, of types. It’s Apollo, a noticed Nice Dane who Walter insisted reside along with her if one thing ever occurred to him.
Iris lives in a rent-controlled condominium that doesn’t permit canine. Naturally, she’s lower than thrilled to find out about Walter’s dying want. And, to be honest, Apollo takes up a LOT of room.
Nonetheless, she’s a dutiful good friend so she accepts this gargantuan roommate. It’s the beginning of an unlikely journey, one which finds Iris questioning her outdated good friend, her future and whether or not she will be able to ever get Apollo off her mattress.
He. Will. Not. Budge.
Naomi Watts units up the story of an surprising bond between a girl and a canine in her new movie The Good friend! #FallonTonight pic.twitter.com/VwYdUn5o9z
— The Tonight Present (@FallonTonight) March 26, 2025
“The Good friend” isn’t stuffed with “Beethoven”-style yuks or cutesy response photographs. It’s grounded from begin to end, a mild essay relating themes that matter to the over-50 set. Dying. Loneliness. Remorse.
Kibble.
Apollo is a sight to behold, however his light face conveys extra emotion than you anticipate. Administrators Scott McGehee and Stacey Battat wring probably the most out of the canine’s fascinating mug. His physique language does the remaining, as solely canine can.
What number of “actors” can hold with a professional like Watts?
She’s saddled with a troublesome job, past co-starring with a power scene-stealer. She’s a misplaced soul who clings to her good friend in ways in which appear Abbie-Regular, to paraphrase “Younger Frankenstein.”
On the floor, Walter was a bit of labor. He appeared self-absorbed and oblivious to his impact on these round him.
A late revelation about his ties to Iris is abdomen curdling. But he commanded respect, nay love, in profound methods.
The dramatic components in “The Good friend” hardly ever rise above a simmer. Iris could lose her condominium if she will be able to’t discover a residence for Apollo, however the screenplay isn’t as frightened about that as she needs to be. Her ties to certainly one of Walter’s exes (Carla Gugino, stable as ever) provide extra texture however nothing thematically formidable.
Much less, as is usually the case, is extra.
“The Good friend” is a subdued story depending on Watts’ star energy, Murray’s attraction and the facility canine have on our lives. And perhaps even our souls.
One of many film’s closing photographs says all of it. If it doesn’t soften your coronary heart, think about your self a “cat particular person.”
HiT or Miss: Naomi Watts anchors “The Good friend,” a mild ode to the therapeutic energy of Man’s Greatest Good friend.