A recommendation: The Friend starring Bing the Dog
Bing the Dog is one of THE big stars of 2025 cinema. Wait until you see him shine on the big screen! 🐶 Bing stars in an excellent new film titled The Friend, which is indeed adapted from the very popular book of the same name (Abre numa nova janela) written by Sigrid Nunez. The film is now playing in select theaters and will expand further throughout April and into May - check your local listings. Most importantly, make a note of this film and catch it whenever it shows near you. It’s not only one of the best dog movies of the last few years, it’s also one of the best New York City movies I’ve ever seen. Really, truly. While this adaptation of the book could’ve been made in Hollywood, ultimately making it as an indie means the film has turned out all the better, handled with exceptional care and humility, maintaining the book's more intellectual prose and heavier themes. It may be cliche to say nowadays, but it really is a relief to see a film made for intelligent adults by intelligent adults without cutting corners or simplifying it to make it work for "all audiences.” The Friend is co-written and co-directed by two filmmakers Scott McGehee and David Siegel, their seventh feature film. The remarkably talented Naomi Watts stars as Iris, a middle-aged writer who is overwhelmed by her grief after her best friend & mentor Walter, played by Bill Murray, commits suicide. While trying to move forward and make sense of what happened she is requested to take in his dog, a pooch named Apollo, since he needs a new home. He's a giant & super sweet so she tries her best to live with him. The story is about grief and depression and the weight of the world we all feel, but when there’s a dog around (even a big one that requires extra work) it makes everything all the better and she finds her way again.
(Abre numa nova janela)Follow a story of love, friendship, grief and healing, about a writer who adopts a Great Dane that belonged to a late friend and mentor. Naomi Watts plays Iris in The Friend, a writer living in New York City navigating her middle-aged life as she deals with everything going on between her career and the death of her mentor. She adopts Apollo, Walter’s gigantic Great Dane doggie who needs a new home after he’s gone. The film premiered at the 2024 Toronto Film Festival last year and I wrote a glowing review (Abre numa nova janela) after its premiere, praising it for its warmth and intelligence: “The Friend is one of these extra tender, heartfelt films that's so emotionally resonant by the end you will want to go right back into it.” The cast also includes Sarah Pidgeon, Carla Gugino, Constance Wu, and Ann Dowd. With a special shout out to Felix Solis who plays her NYC superintendent named Hektor, he's one of the best supporting characters in the film. As a dog lover, however, my favorite character in it is Apollo. “His performance is immaculate, an example of a dog actually understanding the role and nailing it every shot. Somehow. What a champion. His presence and his majesty and his love are important in every last moment of this story. Those saying this film isn't really about the dog are wrong – it is entirely about the dog and how he changes her.” I cannot recommend this film enough. Even if it doesn’t sound like something interesting at first, take my word for it and give it a chance. Hopefully you’ll feel as rejuvenated and comforted as I did the first time I watched it. The Friend is absolutely worth your time to view & enjoy.
For more info on The Friend and how to watch, visit the film’s official site (Abre numa nova janela).
