Friendship
review by Bobby Blakey
I find stories of obsession and unlikely friendships to be interesting. They can fall into the same patterns both good and bad. If handled right the stories walk a line between funny and terrifying and all too relatable for some. The latest film, Friendship, from director Andrew DeYoung takes on the ideal, but could this be a friendship worth exploring or should it be on that shouldn’t last?
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Friendship stars Paul Rudd, Tim Robinson, Kate Mara, and Jack Dylan Grazer and follows a suburban dad Craig falls hard for his charismatic new neighbor, but his attempts to make an adult male friend soon threatens to ruin both of their lives.
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I knew nothing about this film going in and glad because it initially seems like it is going in a completely different direction before it all becomes clear. The story offers a dark comedy surrounded by a descent into obsession and insanity all through normal life events that just take their toll. I love that it switches things up a bit from the initial set-up that leads you to believe something else even if it wasn’t meant to.
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I was initially confused as to why we are so quickly putting these two together after their first meeting with no rhythm or reason, but it becomes clear very quickly. The story wastes no time in getting right into the insanity with a brief flash of normalcy of sorts before it clearly is going in an unhealthy direction. The awkward interactions are funny, but also uncomfortable for the viewer much in the way the people around them are.
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As great as it is it also feels kind of generic at times like it can’t figure out
how far it wants to go into this craziness but still manages to work. The dual story of friendship and a relationship is an interesting balance that fuels each other in both good and bad ways. The cast are all great, but this is Robinsons chance to shine and he goes all in. Even when some of it might lag or not find its pacing Robinson is so engaging it keeps you invested just to see him deliver.
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This was an unexpected film that I really enjoyed in a way I didn’t expect. It’s a familiar film that does its own thing and manages to bring a unique voice to the idea. The final scene of the film is a perfect exclamation point to the narrative of the entire story.
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Decide for yourself and check out Friendship available now on Blu-ray from A24.