The Friend Trailer: Naomi Watts Receives Billy Murray’s Closest Companion

      The Room Next Door was not the sole Sigrid Nunez adaptation to debut at last year’s fall festivals. David Siegel and Scott McGehee’s follow-up to Montana Story, titled The Friend, features Naomi Watts as a woman in New York City who takes care of her late friend’s dog (Bill Murray) after he passes away. The film, which was showcased at Telluride, TIFF, and NYFF, has been acquired by Bleecker Street, who have released the trailer in anticipation of a March 28 premiere in NYC and a wider release on April 4.

      Here’s the synopsis: “In THE FRIEND, adapted from the bestselling novel, Iris (Naomi Watts) experiences a disruption in her comfortable New York life when her friend and mentor Walter (Bill Murray) leaves her his Great Dane, Apollo. This noble but stubborn dog serves as a persistent reminder of Walter and brings about various challenges—however, as Iris forges a connection with Apollo, she begins to confront her past, her deceased friend, and her own creative life.”

      Michael Frank commented in his NYFF review, “The latest film from independent filmmakers Scott McGehee and David Siegel, The Friend, marks another chapter in their 30-year partnership. It’s a dog movie. More accurately, it’s a narrative centered around a dog and Iris (Naomi Watts), a woman who dislikes dogs. Iris inherits the Great Dane, Apollo, from her deceased friend, mentor, and lover Walter (Bill Murray). Although based on Sigrid Nunez’s National Book Award-winning novel, the movie maintains a light tone despite addressing themes of grief, suicide, and depression. It’s the sort of film my parents would enjoy—something that could air on a cable network on a Sunday afternoon, easily digestible with just enough depth to evoke a sense of sadness in viewers. That’s meant as a compliment: The Friend highlights the profound impact that dogs and pets have on our lives.”

      Watch the trailer below and read our interview with the directors here.