The love between a dog and its owner is truly something special and has the power to heal, comfort, and enrich our lives in countless ways. The movie “The Friend” brings out the influence that animals, especially dogs have on our lives.
“I could feel him missing Walter in the same way I did.” Bleecker Street has revealed an official trailer for The Friend, one of the best dog movies ever made, based on the Sigrid Nunez novel. “The Friend” follows Iris (Naomi Watts), a writer and teacher, who is grieving the loss of her friend and mentor Walter (Bill Murray) when she learns that he has left her his dog, a Great Dane named Apollo. The narrative is one that explores the grief of losing a friend to suicide as well as bonding with pets.
The trailer begins with Watts’ character, Iris, going to pick up a giant, black-and-white Great Dane. It is explained that Murray’s character, Walter, passed away and wanted Iris to be in charge of his dog when he died. Caught between not wanting a dog and doing the right thing, Iris recluctantly takes in Apollo, a 150-pound Great Dane (played by the canine actor Bing). The massive dog’s presence creates havoc, causing everything from furniture damage and eviction threats to deeper, more emotional turmoil for Iris. Apollo serves as a constant reminder of her deceased friend’s complicated life and questionable decisions, filling her life with turmoil. Yet as Iris finds herself unexpectedly bonding with the animal, she begins to come to terms with her past, her lost friend, and her own creative inner life. Sounds really good, right?
“The Friend” previously premiered at the 2024 Telluride Film Festival and was later screened at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. The movie is co-written and co-directed by David Siegel and Scott McGehee, also stars Carla Gugino, Constance Wu, and Noma Dumezweni as the womanizing Walter’s trio of ex-wives and Sarah Pidgeon as his adult daughter.
Ultimately, “The Friend” promises to be more than just a heartwarming dog story. It delves into the complexities of grief, the unexpected connections that can help us heal, and the profound impact animals can have on our lives. Offering, a moving exploration of friendship, loss, and the enduring power of love in its many forms. I am sure that this will leave audiences with a renewed appreciation for the special bond we share with our furry companions.
About
Synopsis: The regal yet intractable beast is a constant reminder of Walter and causes various problems— yet as Iris bonds with Apollo, she begins to cope with her past, her lost friend, and her own creative inner life.
Genre: Drama
Director: Scott McGehee . David Siegel
Writers: Scott McGehee . David Siegel . Sigrid Nunez
Stars: Bill Murray . Naomi Watts . Cloé Xhauflaire
Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 2 Hours
Release Date: 28th March – then opening nationwide on 4th April
