Our Friend
2019, Comedy/Drama, 2h 4m
114 Reviews 50+ Verified RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
Our Friend's occasionally frustrating approach to dramatizing its fact-based story is often offset by a trio of starring performances led by a never-better Jason Segel. Read critic reviews
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Where to watch
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Movie Info
OUR FRIEND tells the inspiring and extraordinary true story of the Teague family--journalist Matt (Casey Affleck), his vibrant wife Nicole (Dakota Johnson) and their two young daughters--and how their lives are upended by Nicole's heartbreaking diagnosis of terminal cancer. As Matt's responsibilities as caretaker and parent become increasingly overwhelming, the couple's best friend Dane Faucheux (Jason Segel) offers to come and help out. As Dane puts his life on hold to stay with his friends, the impact of this life altering decision proves greater and more profound than anyone could have imagined.
Cast & Crew
Jason Segel
Dane Faucheux
Dane Faucheux
Dakota Johnson
Nicole Teague
Nicole Teague
Casey Affleck
Matt Teague
Matt Teague
Isabella Kai Rice
Molly Teague
Molly Teague
Violet McGraw
Evie Teague
Evie Teague
John McConnell
Glenn Hattaway
Glenn Hattaway
Critic Reviews for Our Friend
Audience Reviews for Our Friend
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Apr 06, 2021The movie works precisely because it isn't trying to find deeper meaning in any of this. The terminal cancer isn't some convoluted metaphor or lazy lesson for the audience, it simply is what it is and Segel's character's choice, while given the proper consideration, isn't over analyzed.Alec B Super Reviewer
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Feb 09, 2021A sweet and heartfelt true story to friendship that also doesn't sugarcoat the hardships of illness and the elongating circle of grief. Our Friend is based on the life of journalist Matthew Teague (Casey Affleck) whose life is thrown into turmoil after his wife, Nicole (Dakota Johnson), is diagnosed with terminal cancer. They rely upon their devoted friend, Dane (Jason Segel), for help during the months and years after the diagnosis. The movie jumps around in time, for minimal effect, but does a fine job of laying out the three central characters and their core relationship of love and compassion. Dane is scoffed at by Matt's friends as a loser who hasn't gotten his life together, and Dane even contemplates some drastic personal decisions, but he finds a purpose and definition with his servitude, even as it impacts his own outside relationships. I was expecting more attention to the titular "friend" of the title, and it is a slight detriment, but the dramatic core of this movie is solid. The topic of terminal illness can easily veer into soapy, maudlin territory, but the movie is on firm grounding early during a scene where Matt and Nicole discuss how to tell their two young girls that mommy isn't getting better. Her angry outbursts later and final moments are also unvarnished yet still in character. The acting is quite good overall and there are plenty of one-scene players that leave a favorable and empathetic impression, like Gwendoline Christie and Cherry Jones. The non-linear jumps feel like an attempt to create more meaning than a simple story about friendship will afford and an invitation to sift out connections and parallels. It's a movie that doesn't necessarily break away from your expectations as a cancer weepie. You know what you're headed for. Our Friend is an enjoyable and heartfelt drama with better-than-average performances and overly disjointed editing. If you're in for a decent tearjerker, give it a try. Nate's Grade: BNate Z Super Reviewer
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