It must be challenging for actors working with animals, not because the animals are hard to handle—thanks to the trainers on set—but because they probably end up being overshadowed by their four-legged co-stars. That is the case with Naomi Watts here who plays a writing teacher named Iris whose peaceful, solitary life in New York is turned upside down when her dear friend and mentor takes his own life, leaving her his cherished Great Dane. I have a lot of respect for Watts; she’s a fantastic actress and does a great job in her role. However, the moment the massive dog named Apollo appears on screen, I can’t help but be captivated by the majestic yet stubborn creature.

Bill Murray plays Iris’s mentor, Walter, and we see him jogging in Manhattan at the start of the film. He’s about to enter a park when something stops him in his tracks, and he is in awe of what he sees. We don’t get to see what/who captured his attention, though Walter tells the story to his friends during dinner. Then flash forward some time later to Walter’s funeral, attended by his friends, colleagues, two of his ex-wives, Elaine (Carla Gugino) and Tuesday (Constance Wu), and his widow, Barbara (Noma Dumezweni). Interesting casting to have Murray play a notorious womanizer who slept with many of his students like Elaine and Iris herself, as we learn in an amusing conversation between the two.

It’s Barbara who bequeaths Walter’s beloved Great Dane to Iris, and she gives her no choice but to say yes despite the fact that Iris lives in a building with a no-pet policy. Bing, the Great Dane portraying Apollo, definitely steals the spotlight in every scene he’s in, even as he brings chaos into Iris’s life in her cramped apartment. From wrecking furniture to triggering eviction notices, and even more profound issues, his imposing presence is a constant reminder to Iris of Walter’s tragic decision to end his life. On top of that, Iris is also struggling with the book project she’s collaborating on with Walter’s daughter, Val (Sarah Pidgeon).

Written and directed by David Siegel and Scott McGehee, I love that The Friend is shot on location in New York City. The Big Apple is practically a character in this film which improves the level of authenticity considerably. The characters spend time all around the city, walking in the park, waiting on the subway, etc., and through Walter’s former friends and lovers, we get to know more about him.

I like Watt’s portrayal of Iris, and she makes me identify with her as she comes to terms with her own existential issues in the wake of Walter’s death. Her scenes with Apollo are wonderful to watch as they bond over their shared grief, as they miss Walter. I really enjoy the refreshingly frank and unsentimental way of the interactions, the contrast between New Yorkers of different social strata. Tuesday comes off as a pretentious art lover living in a fancy apartment, while Iris resides in an older building that she inherited from her late father. She has a good rapport with the friendly maintenance guy Hektor (Felix Solis), who constantly reminds her about the no-dog rule.

As far as performances go, Watts is the standout here. I actually haven’t seen her in anything in the last few years but I’ve always found her compelling. Murray is barely on screen, and in the end, it’s never clear why he took his own life. There’s an interesting dream-like sequence with Walter and Iris which would’ve been more effective if it were shorter. Again, brevity is the soul of wit; this film should’ve followed that adage. The real star here is, of course, the Great Dane, who lives up to its name.  Every time this regal canine enters the screen, it perks up the movie. Credit goes to Bing the dog and its trainer(s) for convincingly portraying an animal in mourning.

While there are things I enjoy about The Friend, my main issue is that the movie overstays its welcome, and my sympathy for the characters fades as it drags on needlessly. The 2-hour running time feels much longer and loses its rhythm in the third act. It’s also pretty predictable where the story was going in regards to Iris and Apollo.

Ultimately, it’s Apollo who helps guide everyone on their journey through life. Similar to what happens in The Penguin Lessons, animals can ease profound emotional anguish and provide fresh viewpoints on life. Whether you’re a dog person or not, I think there’s plenty to glean from The Friend, and the movie also serves as a lovely tribute to Manhattan.

Have you seen THE FRIEND? I’d love to hear what you think!

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