Scott McGehee and David Siegel’s “The Friend” begins with Bill Murray playing Walter, a celebrated author, on a jog one morning in New York City.
With the cityscape behind him, Walter makes an unexpected turn and sees a magnificent Great Dane sitting by himself and without a collar.
Walter adopts the dog and names him Apollo, much to the amusement of his old friends, Iris (Naomi Watts), among them. When Walter dies (this isn’t a spoiler- it happens immediately and Murray’s character and wonderful performance are presented in flashbacks), Iris is asked by his widow to adopt Apollo, who is clearly mourning Walter’s death as much as everyone else.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpgLdI–F9M
“The Friend” is funny without ever becoming broad or slapstick, melancholy but never depressing, thoughtful and observant without becoming pretentious, soulful when it could have been forced. Because Iris and Apollo are treated like real characters and not inevitable plot devices, the film has a freshness when it could have settled for being a cutesy dog movie.
Every potentially silly, slapstick possibility with the story is avoided, as Apollo is presented as a deeply felt character and not a gimmick. It’s a bold, smart choice, among the many here. Among other accomplishments, this is one of the best films I’ve ever seen about our relationships with dogs.
The dog emerges as a complex character and not fodder for reaction shots. I love Benji and Beethoven as much as any filmgoer, but the choices made here sidestep all temptation to go for easy laughs and corny reaction shots.
“The Friend” is an elegant, gentle drama that benefits as much from the soulful performances from Watts and Murray as much as the lack of cutesy mawkishness.
Watts never pushes to convey her emotions, as Iris is a quirky character, but seems this way because of life and not a Hollywood contrivance. I’ve been a fan of Watts since “Mulholland Dr.” (2001) and this is another major highlight.
Likewise, Murray, who is once again extraordinary in a character role he captures effortlessly.
We understand why everyone is clearly in awe of Walter but his relationship with Iris obviously runs very deep. There’s an honesty to the screenplay that is reflected in the strength of the performances.
Despite the presence of Bill Murray and Naomi Watts #TIFF24 International Premiere THE FRIEND is really about Bing, the Great Dane. Today we salute all the canine co-stars who really, probably deserved top billing. pic.twitter.com/piJHzFDAUF
— TIFF (@TIFF_NET) September 6, 2024
For the record, Apollo is played by a Great Dane named Bing, who emerges as one of the year’s most endearing characters (and no, you don’t have to be a dog person to love this movie). “The Friend” made me think of recent losses in my life and how much meaning and friendship my dog has brought me.
Specifically, a great mentor in my life died not long ago, and his absence has taken a big bite out of me. I thought I had a lot more time with him, and now I find myself asking so many questions that I’ll never get answers to.
He was, like Murray’s character, imposing, funny, beloved by most who knew him and a celebrated author and scholar. Being unable to carry on conversations with him has been difficult, as I often wonder what he’d feel about, well, anything.
Murray’s Walter is somehow both a true friend to Iris and a real enigma, which is exactly how I feel about a similar friend whose absence has been so difficult.
Like Watt’s character, I have found such meaning and joy in bringing a dog into my life. In my case, it’s my Charlotte, a tiny white Maltese whose tiny stature but enormous presence and attitude brings so much to me every day. Charlotte has this tendency to sleep next to me and, when she sees I’ve woken from a jarring nightmare, she draws herself even closer.
She’s been doing this for years now. “The Friend” is about this kind of bond, the odd but undeniable connection between human and canine,
Some of this may play as maudlin at times and I was uncertain by the middle if the whole thing would pull together, but it absolutely does. Having seen it twice, I’m amazed not only how well the filmmakers and cast have pulled it off but how natural and unforced the story plays.
I’ve read the 2018 novel of the same name by Sigrid Nunez but I enjoyed the film much more.
The sequence where Watts goes to a psychiatrist to best understand how she and Apollo have helped each other showcases some of her best work. The final scene may have more than one interpretation – likewise, a sequence where writing allows for the protagonist to visit her best friend one last time.
“The Friend” is out of step with most 2025 films, in the sense that it is patient, observant, wise and deeply moving in ways that come from difficult character decisions and not paint-by-numbers screenwriting.
This is a special film, the best film about writers since “Wonder Boys” (2000) and one of the finest of 2025.
Four Stars