Our Friend [2019]
"Want me to tell you the story of how we met?"
Loss is a strange and lonely experience. No matter what you've done to prepare or what deeply sonorous words of wisdom friends and family have shared; loss is a profoundly lonely experience. The world around continues to spin even when yours is falling apart and standing still. In 2019's Our Friend we explore the twists and turns of love and loss as a terminal illness tears apart the Teague family from within while, from without, the indominable spirit of their dedicated friend, Dane, does all he can to hold them together.
Subtle and real, Friend doesn't hit you over the head with loud, sobbing theatrics or melodramatic bouts of rage. As the Teague's lives are torn apart, yours is torn apart with them. From the emotive and enthralling camera work and enchantingly simple score, every scene is filled with exactly the mood it intends.
For me this could have been a little shorter and a little fuller at times. It's based on the true story of the Teague family and the award winning article written by Matthew upon his wife's passing. I could have done with a reading of that article during the credits as a final goodbye to both the fictional Nicole and the journey we'd just taken with both her and her family, and the very real Nicole who's tribute has undoubtedly moved audiences around the world.
That being said, this film is not lacking for content, punch, or style. Performances are top notch, the back and forth narrative structure is poignant, well formed, and disastrously effective, and -- in the end -- you'll hope to be half as good a person as those on screen.
Painful, memorable, and important, Our Friend shows the difference that a helping hand can make during our toughest times.
"I thought you were writing about Nicole.
-- So did I."
