Our Friend

Our Friend is a heart-wrenching, slice-of-life, drama film of 2019. An independent film based on a true story, it was adapted from Matthew Teague's award-winning Esquire article titled "The Friend: Love Is Not a Big Enough Word". The story primarily revolves around themes of friendship, love, terminal illness, shared sorrow, and the resilience of the human spirit.

The film features a stellar cast, with Jason Segel, Dakota Johnson, and Casey Affleck at its helm. Directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite and scripted by Brad Ingelsby, Our Friend presents an emotional journey rendered through poignant storytelling and stellar performances.

The story unfolds in the coastal town of Fairhope, Alabama, and sets its stage around journalist Matthew Teague (Casey Affleck), his wife Nicole (Dakota Johnson), and their friend Dane Faucheux (Jason Segel). A twisted form of narration allows the story to take us on a journey beyond the concept of linear time. By doing so, it brings viewers closer to the emotions experienced by characters, as it shifts between timelines, allowing us to delve deeper into their relationships.

Jason Segel delivers a compelling performance as Dane, a kindhearted man lacking personal direction, who moves from New Orleans to Alabama to help his friends through a tough time. Dane's relationship with the Teague family is not painted in broad strokes of heroism, but instead showcases love's capacity to endear monotony and hardship. It’s an unglamourous portrait of carrying your loved ones through their darkest time. Segel carries this role with a sincerity and profound tenderness.

Dakota Johnson (of Fifty Shades fame) and Casey Affleck form the other two vertices of this emotionally complex triangle. Their surname Teague might imply a generic American family, but the obstacles they encounter are anything but generic. Nicole, a vivacious and beloved mother and wife, is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Her husband Matthew is a journalist juggling between his work, two young daughters, and his wife's illness. Johnson and Affleck beautifully capture the pain, love, and a plethora of unspoken emotions with grace and subtlety.

The film bravely explores and depicts the reality of living with and caring for someone with terminal cancer. It humanizes the illness, without resorting to cinematic cliches that romanticize or exploit such conditions. Cancer isn't painted as simply a mechanism for drama; rather it’s recognized for the exhausting, gritty, and harrowing ordeal it is.

Our Friend sets out to redefine friendship. Dane isn’t merely a friend in need; he is a foundational part of their family's life and a rock that they often lean on. His enduring support and emotional availability, while maintaining a quiet resilience, make him an extraordinary friend indeed. The film beautifully showcases the strength of their bond, despite the overwhelming tides of sorrow and hardships.

The cinematography of the film, executed by Joe Anderson, enhances the emotional narrative. Through lingering shots, Anderson delicately captures the nuances of characters' experiences. The soundtrack, curated by Rob Simonsen, complements the visual storytelling, amplifying the emotional resonance of each scene.

It is worth noting that Our Friend does not shy away from the difficult and dark aspects of the story it tells. Cowperthwaite directs the film with an empathetic lens that allows us to connect with each character and their emotions. Comedy and lighter moments are sprinkled throughout to offer breathers, while not detracting from the film’s overall emotional weight.

Our Friend is a powerful testament to the power of human connections. It unravels a beautiful and heart-rending narrative about love, friendship, grief, and staying alongside those we hold dear in their darkest hours. It is an emotionally rich film that speaks volumes about the human condition, our ability to endure, and the immense power of friendship.

Even while grappling with life’s toughest challenges, Our Friend encapsulates an important message - that hope always exists if you're fortunate enough to have the right people by your side. The film invites its audience to appreciate the ordinary, find beauty amidst adversity, and redefine the conventional meanings of friendship and love. At its core, Our Friend is an ode to human resilience, friendships that stand the test of time, and love that transcends adversity.