The Friend

Family friend Dane (Jason Segel) moves into the home of the Teague family to support dad Matthew (Casey Affleck) when mom Nicole (Dakota Johnson) is diagnosed with terminal cancer. This based-on-a-true-story account is heartfelt, sincere and well-acted, even if director Gabriela Cowperthwaite chooses a somewhat annoying narrative technique of several weakly defined timelines, arguably in an attempt to infuse a sense of peaks and valleys into a rather straightforward story. Perhaps she should have trusted the story itself and gone for a more linear approach, or at least fewer timelines. At any rate, the platonic love triangle has a fine balance between mystique and graciousness. There's an openness in the material which is attractive, and which works as a counterweight to the inevitable finiteness of Nicole's downward spiral. Thematically and emotionally, the film reaches its zenith in a segment towards the end when the wonderful Cherry Jones comes in to resuscitate Dane and Matthew - and help them lay Nicole to rest. Our Friend makes an impression, perhaps even a lasting one.

At first i thought it's a feel good movie featuring a good friend but i never thought these would be so emotional. Dane will never get out of my mind such friendship can't imagine what would have happened with Matt&Nicole without Dane.

A movie that accomplished something that not many movies can....getting me emotional. I don't know what broke my heart more, the plot of the movie, that it was a real story or that the cinema was literally empty for this hidden gem!

This is my favourite film so far at the LFF. Sure, it has a pretty amazing cast, which I guess wasn't cheap, but it proves again that all you need for a great movie is a great, gripping and authentic story. Sadly, a movie like Transformers will always be more successful at the box office, but this is an industry problem. I can just recommend EVERYONE to check this movie out!

It showcases the importance of real good friends, love, compassion, death, grief, guilt, family, society and community. The fact, that this is a real story helps a lot, though I am not sure how much was added for dramatical reasons, this movie felt honest and authentic during its whole run. Yes, it is a very slow paced movie, but this is exactly what it needs to showcase the problems the characters are facing.

Beautifully written and amazingly acted, this is one of the best movies I have seen this year and I fear, that it will fall off the radar of many people, so please watch it and spread the word! These stories need to be told, shown and experienced. Sure it's not an easy watch, but its absolutely worth it, trust me!

Greetings from Lithuania.

"Our Friend" (2019) is a sweet, sincere, heartbreaking and heartwarming movie. Its based on a true story, but to be honest, there are tons of stories like these were cancer is involved - its not what makes this movie good. What makes it good is solid directing, good writing, and terrific acting from all three main characters. Casey Affleck and Jason Segel were very good in this movie, but its Dakota Johnson's career performance so far - she was amazing in a hard to watch performance because of the subject matter,

Overall, "Our Friend" is not about the cancer but rather about love, family, friendship and caring about each other. Good movie.

Beautifully written and amazing performances by all. Easily one of the best movies I have seen these last 2-3 years.

I particularly loved the non linear leaps, backwards and forwards, to break-up what would have been a very sad and predictable timeline.

What's truly astonishing is that this story really happened. Stories like these need to be voiced and felt. We should be lucky to have a 'Dane' in our lives.

Parts are difficult watch, but absolutely worth it!.. Keep a box of Kleenex close by.

Must watch.