KSL Movie Show review: ‘The Friend’ has wit and wisdom in abundance

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SALT LAKE CITY — The old adage in Hollywood suggests, “never work with children or animals,” unless it happens to be with one particular Great Dane called Bing.  

 

I don’t know if it’s possible to know what a dog is thinking, but there is no way you can look at Bing, playing the part of Apollo, and not realize that this beautiful creature knows exactly what’s going on in every frame of this motion picture.

If there was an Oscar for Best Animal Performance in a Feature Film, it would be Bing’s for sure.  Oh and there are some humans that came along for the ride, but they would have to be in the supporting category only – he’s that good.

 

Nevertheless, I guess we do have to set up the people part of this tale.

 

Walter (Bill Murray) is a world-renowned novelist who teaches classes in New York City between books.  His closest friend Iris (Naomi Watts) is also a writer and creative writing teacher.  However, her world comes crashing down when she learns Walter has committed suicide and has bequeathed his beloved Great Dane to her.  

 

Despite the fact that Walter had a wife, a daughter and a couple of exes, Iris is told that Walter wanted her to have Apollo.  Impossible, she responds in shock, mainly because she lives in a rent-control apartment building that doesn’t allow dogs.

 

But she reluctantly agrees to temporarily house Apollo, until they can find a suitable home for the big fella.  You can tell he is mourning the loss of Walter, as he flops down on Iris’s only bed with a worn-out T-shirt of Walter’s under his head.  He won’t eat. He won’t sleep.  

 

He just lays there and stares at poor Iris, who is also mourning by the way, but with a mixture of being ticked off at Walter for his irreversible, thoughtless decision.

 

She eventually takes Apollo to a vet, in hopes of figuring out what is wrong with him.  The veterinarian says he’s fine, just sad and he’s a good dog.  Don’t turn him into a bad dog by allowing him to dictate the living arrangements.  Easier said than done.

 

It soon becomes apparent to both Apollo and Iris, that this is their new reality and they begin to warm up to each other.  Yet the threat of eviction is still looming over them. 

 

Obviously pet owners are the target audience for this sweet, little adventure, with Naomi Watts equal to the task – but oh my goodness! – This dog and his expressions of wisdom and compassion are beyond belief!

 

If you’re looking for a bunch from Bill Murray, you might be disappointed based on what transpires, but there are some nice life threads in flashback that will be satisfying, including one insightful passage that Walter writes, “The day I die will be like any other . . . only shorter.”

 

Wit and wisdom in abundance.  So, you might want to give “The Friend” a chance. 

 

The KSL Movie Show with Andy Farnsworth and Steve Salles airs Fridays on KSL NewsRadio from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Follow the show on Facebook, and join The KSL Movie Show Club for exclusive perks by texting MOVIE to 57500. Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel. Message frequency varies.