by Charles Kirkland, Jr.
Bill Murray, Naomi Watts, and a charismatic Great Dane named Bing propel this wise and insightful
character drama called The Friend.
Iris has had a long, complex friendship with Walter. He is an irresistible charmer, a brilliant author, a
lover of many women, and a master at letting down loved ones. When he dies suddenly, Iris is left to
deal with everything he has left behind, his ex-wives, an unfinished novel, the literary legacy existing in
his daughter, and, most of all, his beloved Great Dane, Apollo. Iris likes dogs, but her Manhattan
apartment building doesn’t allow them. If she doesn’t find someone to take Apollo off her hands soon,
she’ll get kicked out of her hard-to-come-by, rent-controlled apartment especially if they find out she’s
pretty much trying to house a horse.
Based on the acclaimed novel by Sigrid Nunez, The Friend is written and directed by Scott McGehee and
David Siegel. It stars Bill Murray, Naomi Watts, Constance Wu, Carla Gugino, Sarah Pidgeon, Ann Dowd,
Felix Solis and Noma Dumezweni. The real star of the film is Bing, the Great Dane who plays the
adorable dog Apollo and is the titular hero.
The dog is the friend in the title, as we proceed through the film the friendship could be between Murray and Watt’s characters as they play writers who are exes but remain friends. It is this relationship that gives that allows the friendship with Apollo to begin. But from the moment Apollo takes the screen, he proves that he is the “King of all dogs.” Whether it is through great direction or Bing is truly a good actor, the role is perfect and the substance of the whole film.
The study of Naomi Watts in her role is very important. She is very complex in playing a woman who has
lost her best friend, an incredibly selfish man, and attempts to honor his dying wish that on the surface
is the highlight of his incredible selfishness. Watts delivers a rich performance as she sublimates her
grief as long as possible while trying to be a bastion of strength for all around her.
The Friend is a very smart and well-developed look into life, happiness, and friendship that insists that
satisfaction and love are attainable to those who hunt for them. Even when it seems the search gives
you something that you can’t use. Be careful, it’s hard to leave this film without desiring to adopt a
Great Dane. If only they were all as great as Bing.
Grade: B-