Naomi Watts Encounters Mortality in ‘The Friend’: A Unique Canine-Centric Film Review

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The esteemed French actor, Alain Delon, before his death, expressed his wish for his dog, Loubo, to be euthanized after his demise. Delon felt that the affinity between him and his adopted Belgian Malinois was of such intensity that Loubo’s grief at his passing would be profound. He wanted to protect his beloved pet from experiencing such sorrow. However, Delon’s family reassured the media that Loubo would not be euthanized.

The question of how to explain death to a canine forms the emotional undercurrent of “The Friend,” a film that diverts from your usual formulaic dog-oriented drama. Its narrative and thematic depth are encapsulated in the story of Apollo, a harlequin Great Dane. Apollo is missing his master and is on the brink of being sent to the infamous “glue factory” unless he finds a new home. That pivotal role falls upon Naomi Watts, the human in this tale, who brings authenticity and warmth to the film, separated from your regular dog-focused tearjerkers.

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Both humans and pets struggle with the concept of death. This is particularly true for many pet owners, who often neglect to plan for their pets’ well-being after they are gone. That’s not an issue for Walter Meredith (played by Bill Murray), a highly respected old-fashioned author whose teaching career was abruptly ended due to accusations of impropriety. He leaves his enormous dog, Apollo, to his mentee and former lover, Iris (Watts).

Iris is faced with a daunting question: how to manage Apollo’s grief and her own? Her small pet-prohibited apartment in Washington Place is hardly the place for a Great Dane. Yet, she inherits Apollo, seeing in him a vivid reminder of the friend she’s lost and a living being who is now reliant on her to survive. Her cordial yet strict building manager (portrayed by Felix Solis) points out that pets are not allowed in the flats, and slipping Apollo past him is out of the question. How long before neighbours start complaining about the beast living next door?

Overall, “The Friend” offers compelling storytelling, matched with the harsh reality of owning a pet like Apollo in a bustling city like New York. As symbolic as Apollo walking through the New York City crowd may be, this film poses a hard truth: the responsibility of keeping a pet, in accepting Apollo, Iris must embrace the reality that Apollo, at five, is closer to the end of his life than the beginning. This film serves as a lesson in grief and a preparation for the future loss.

Despite its emotional pull, “The Friend” might leave some audiences unmoved. A key cause could be Apollo, whose charmingly well-mannered behaviour belies the unmanageable character one might expect. Furthermore, the film’s propensity for politeness can be off-putting. Iris’s quick acquiescence when Apollo claims her bed reflects too much concession and not enough contention, to the detriment of the movie’s tension.

“The Friend” aims to provide relief through its depiction of strong emotions. However, certain scenes may appear forced, such as the instance where Iris confronts Walter’s spectre. The film leaves us wondering; is this the story Walter wanted Iris to tell? Even beyond the grave, friends should not allow friends to write subpar fiction.

FAQs

1. Who is Alain Delon?
Alain Delon is a renowned French actor, famous for his wish to have his dog euthanized after his demise due to their deep bond.

2. What is the movie “The Friend” about?
The movie “The Friend” delves into deeper themes such as grief, explaining death to pets, and the struggles of taking care of a Great Dane in a city like New York.

3. Who are the main characters in the movie “The Friend”?
The film centers around Apollo, the Great Dane, Iris, who adopts the dog, and her late friend Walter.

4. What differentiates “The Friend” from other dog-focused movies?
Apart from focusing on the dog-human bond, “The Friend” also delves into deeper themes of death, grief, and dealing with the loss of a friend.

5. What do critics say about “The Friend”?
While the film has been appreciated for its depth and emotional pull, some critics feel that certain scenes feel forced and that the characters are too polite.

6. What is the running time of “The Friend”?
The running time of “The Friend” is two hours.


Credit: variety.com

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