TIFF 2024: Naomi Watts & Bing the Dog Are Exquisite in ‘The Friend’

Falling in love with a dog can change everything. Most dog people already know this but I’ll say it again just for the record: a dog is more than just a pet. They are a family member, they are your best friend, they love you unconditionally, they keep you on your toes, they make the world a better place, they bring unabashed happiness and beauty and joy and love to everyone they interact with, along with a few occasional woofs and growls. It turns out that 2024 is an extraordinary year for dog movies – more than a few favorites. After enjoying three others that I’ve raved about throughout the year (Black Dog, Dog on Trial, Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo) I’ve found my favorite dog movie of 2024 – The Friend. Adapted from the bestselling novel of the same name written by Sigrid Nunez, this film is a much more profound and soulful story of a woman’s life changing thanks to a big dog. In fact, the dog really is the star of the show – a massive, cuddle bug Great Dane pooch named Apollo (in real life Bing). The story is actually about suicide and the weight of grief and depression and the struggles that life presents us, all of which is more glaring when a doggo enters your life. // Continue Reading ›