L'amico fedele

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.

Watched the Friend at NYFF among an appreciative and applauding crowd. It is a multi dimensional story of grief where we don't know whether the human is supporting the animal ot is it vice versa.

We try to understand Walter's character thru interactions of his near and dear ones. Iris is a complicated character poignantly played by Naomi Watts.

But at the end it is Apollo who helps everyone find their way in life.

The backdrop of NYC where the story is based also shot was amazing. It has its own character as Iris and Apollo go thru their daily life among the teeming millions.

Finally a great shoutout to the dog playing Apollo. One of the beat animal acted movies.

I snuck into this film and had a good time with about 18 people. The best thing about it was enjoying all the NYC locations and identifying all the local actors. Bill Murray is Walter, a successful author with three ex wives. He dies early on and his latest wife Barbara (Noma Dumezweni) insists on dumping his hulking 150 pound harlequin Great Dane, Apollo, to college professor and former fling Iris (Naomi Watts). Of course this is an insane notion as she is in a rent controlled apartment inherited from her father. So we see her looking up states that accept such beasts. Nothing ever clicks. Guess what happens? It's a lovely film with great music, ending with "I'll Take Manhattan" at the closing credits. The repeated views of our bridges are breathtaking, as is always the case when they appear on film. After reading an article about the dog and all the training it took to get him camera ready, I had to see the film and purposely hung around for the one screening my multiplex had. I saw two people I knew in a scene. Ann Dowd is on hand as the sympathetic neighbor that Iris pals around with, further soaking up the running time. This is a two hour film that feels like two and a half. So much could have been cut. The sympathetic building super Hektor (Felix Solis) is way too featured, which is annoying. I do love the gorgeous Carla Gugino and Constance Wu as the discarded wives. Watts is fine and mostly wears nerdy clothing to indicate her studious nerd personality. Sarah Pigeon is okay as Walther's daughter Val. It's a cute fim, just a little long for what it is. False endings abound, and we get a completely bogus health scare for Apollo thrown in because the filmmakers think audiences are stupid and naive.

Directors Scott McGehee and David Siegel adapt Sigrid Nunez's novel, starring a charming Naomi Watts and a Great Dane who stands out as one of the best canine actors of recent times.

A heartfelt and heartwarming drama about grief and the bond between pet and owner. A novel adapted with sincerity and commitment, it's a perfect drama that's well directed and well acted, drawing us into a study of the characters in all their layers, including a heartfelt performance by a dog who steals the show.

It's a perfect exploration of the profound drama of the loss of a loved one, equated in two parallel worlds: that of an animal and that of a person. This dynamic makes the film a constant journey through the intensity of grief, but also through the shortcomings of a protagonist who invites us on a journey through her healing as we immerse ourselves in a magnificent and adorable love story between a dog and a human. This film leaves its own mark, avoiding the typical dog movie we're accustomed to.

It's a well-known story that man's best friend has won that ground. It's a film that dares to explore a dog's deepest sorrow for his owner and his own grief-healing process. Magically portrayed by our friend Apollo, whose wide gaze and size fill us with grief and joy at the same time, we can even sense his own personal interpretation of the canine drama he brings to the screen-an absolute visual impact.

It's a film that offers a moving, funny, humane, and unforgettable story about friendship, loneliness, grief, and love in all its layers. A pleasant and sweet journey in a correct and sincere adaptation of the novel in question. It becomes an irresistible experience that anyone who has ever loved a pet must see.

The supporting cast is excellent, and of course, Murray nails it, making his few scenes shine. New York City has never looked better, thanks to cinematographer Giles Nuttgens.

Bleecker Street hits the nail on the head with the layout of this little indie gem.

A classic definition of a "guy flick" is one in which many people die very rapidly - the corresponding definition of a "chick flick" is one in which one person dies very slowly. "The Friend" is a variation on the latter theme in which a major character (Murray) dies at the outset of the film, and most of two hours is spent depicting how his widow, his ex, his daughter, his dog, and his best friend/protégé/ex lover (Watts) and the dog Apollo (a gigantic Great Dane) slowly come to terms with that death. The production values are excellent. The acting is magnificent. The pacing is tedious. Seeing it once was more than enough.