The Friend

While on vacation in Hollywood (ooh la la) I obviously had to see a movie. Funnily enough, I chose the most "New York" movie out there. THE FRIEND is a drama based on a book by Sigrid Nunez about a writer named Iris (Naomi Watts). Her best friend Walter (Bill Murray) commits suicide, leaving her to deal with the grief of the loss, his many exes, and a Great Dane called Apollo. Living in a tiny apartment building, her landlord is urging her to move out because of Apollo. This dog is a huge scene stealer, very expressive and such a good boy. Yes he is. He reminds us that he's grieving right alongside Iris. They start to bond, even though she's not a dog person. This movie shows how one person can affect the people around them in different ways. There are thought-provoking and fascinating conversations that take place here. Taking control of your life can look like a variety of things, small or big. Apollo could be seen as a metaphor for a few things, depending on who's asking. THE FRIEND will resonate with dog-owners and everyone who has experienced loss, which is probably most people.

I went in expecting a sentimental story about a woman and a big dog, and while that element is definitely there, The Friend surprised me with how layered and restrained it was. Naomi Watts gives a really thoughtful performance-quiet, a little distant, but grounded in real emotion. And Bill Murray, though only present in flashbacks and memory, adds a lot of warmth and depth to the story.

What really worked for me was the tone: melancholic without being heavy-handed, and gently funny in places without trying too hard. The relationship between Iris and the dog felt believable-not overly cute, just human and strange and a little awkward, like grief often is.

The trailer made it seem like a straightforward healing-through-pet story, but the film is more reflective than that, and it lingers in your mind afterward. Some scenes felt a little slow, but overall it earned its quiet pace.

Definitely worth seeing if you're into character-driven stories that give you space to feel without telling you how.

I am a big fan of Naomi Watts as an actress from films like "Mulholland Drive" and "King Kong". And I think she should have won the Oscar for Best Actress for "21 Grams" back in 2003.

I am also a fan of Bill Murray as an actor from films like "Broken Flowers", "Ghostbusters", "Scrooged" and "Quick Change". And I think that he should have won the Oscar for Best Actor for "Lost in Translation".

Now they are both in a new little independent movie called "The Friend". It is a heartwarming drama about a man who commits suicide and leaves behind a dog, a great Dane for his best friend to take care of now that he is gone.

The man who commits suicide is played by Bill Murray in a supporting role and his best friend is played by Naomi Watts, who is the main character.

I thought the movie was very good and beautifully acted by Naomi Watts and Bill Murray. Also with a good supporting performance from Carla Gugino.

The movie is very enjoyable and involving and a good time at the movies. I am glad that I saw this film. I recommend this movie, especially for animal lovers.

I just left the theaters about 25 mins ago.

This isn't typically the kind of movie I would watch in the theaters. But I have Regal Unlimited, and I was bored at work; I therefore went to see this one. I like dog movies, and Naomi Watts usually stars in quality films. I also think that Bill Murray can be funny

I didn't know much about the plot before getting in the theater. As a result, I got struck by how somber the movie is; the film explores some very dark themes. I guess I was expecting some light-hearted comedy because of Bill Murray and the dog. But it's not that kind of film

Regardless, I can appreciate a mature drama, and there's some good acting at times from Naomi Watts. The story, basically, is that her best friend, Bill Murray, passes away (which happens very early), and she ends up getting his Great Dane dog.

The movie, I think, is too dry or boring. There's not much drama or excitement. Infact, the main conflict in the plot is that Naomi Watts isn't allowed to keep dogs in her building, so she has to figure out what to do. I found this plot thread to be a little weak because the film shows that Bill Murray left behind a wife and an apartment where the dog can stay. The wife's explanation for not wanting to keep the dog isn't credible or believable

In addition, I didn't find any character to be likable or memorable. Naomi Watts, who is a great actress, plays a character who is so mundane, nondescript, and vanilla. The movie's theme centers on friendships, explored mostly through Bill Murray and Naomi Watts' relationship; yet I don't think the movie does a great job of explaining the friendship between them; we don't quite get a sense of how close they were.

I think the movie has too many characters. Some characters are unexplored (e.g. Bill Murray's daughters and wives), some of them feel random (e.g. Naomi Watts' therapist), and some of them I'm not sure who they are (e.g. Constance Wu and Josh Pais' characters)

There are some charming moments involving the dog, of course. But the dog's charm falls by the wayside early in the film. The emphasis is less on the dog's personality and more on how the dog represents Bill Murray and his relationship with Naomi Watts. The dog mostly sits on the bed or walks with Naomi Watts throughout New York City

4.5/10.

I really enjoy Noma Dumezweni in everything I've seen her in, and she was just as great here. The cast overall was surprisingly stacked-so many recognizable faces, and I kept having those "Oh hey, it's that person from..." moments. Everyone delivered strong performances, even the Great Dane.

We learn a lot about Bill Murray's character through the dog. Choosing a Great Dane was a smart move, there's something about that breed's presence that made the conversations around Walter and who he left the dog to feel more substantial. I don't think those same scenes would've hit as hard if it had been, say, a small poodle.

I'm not a huge dog person, so I imagine dog lovers might connect with this more. That said, I liked that the film didn't lean too heavily into sadness, despite being about grief it didn't feel too mopey. Still, I didn't feel particularly moved by it. Emotionally, it didn't hit me, but I thought it was fine overall. It's not just a story about a dog; it's also a quiet reflection on friendship, loss, and how people cope. The first half has some genuinely funny moments too.

The pacing is slow, and it doesn't really build to a traditional climax. It just sort of ends in a way that feels... fine. Not underwhelming, just gently satisfying.

During the Q&A, it was fun hearing the director talk about what it was like working with a Great Dane. I wish I had gotten to see the dog myself, but apparently, it's still adjusting. Maybe the folks attending tonight's or the Saturday Q&A will get lucky, would've been cool to see just how big it really is in person.