My Hindu Friend

RATING: R

LENGTH: 2 hours, 4 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: C

IN A NUTSHELL:

The movie begins with a statement by Hector Babenco, explaining that what you are about to watch is a story that happened to him and that he is going to present it the way he knows best. Many of the characters are his real-life friends and family, which is why you won’t recognize many of the actors. The man to watch is the incredibly talented Willem Dafoe. The movie was originally in Portuguese but changed to English once Willem joined the cast.

The movie is directed by Hector Babenco and stars the incredibly talented Willem Dafoe. The story is about an ill movie director who undergoes a tricky procedure. Dafoe said about this movie that it “kneels at the alter of cinema.”

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Kids will be bored out of their minds. Even so, they should NOT see this movie. There are way too many inappropriate sex scenes.
A man sits on his bed in his underwear and you see him take his shirt off.
Two married people cheat on each other.
Cleavage and a woman pulls her shirt down to show off her chest
Super crude language, conversations, and F-bombs.
Alcohol, and profanity
A skinny, old lady wears seductive underwear and later takes her top off.
You watch a woman pleasure herself.
Tons of other nudity, sex, and super awkward moments related to those things.

THEMES:

Denial
Despair
Life: the good, the bad, and the ugly
Death
Marriage & infidelity
Love
Friendship
Inspiration

THINGS I LIKED:

I have been such a huge fan of Willem DaFoe for years. He’s the reason why I wanted to watch the film in the first place. He’s excellent, as expected in this movie. I also thought he was outstanding in the movie The Lighthouse and was surprised it didn’t get more recognition for its artistry and acting. In this movie, Willem DaFoe give it his all by losing a ton of weight, so much so that he looks like a walking skeleton.
A movie like this could be overly sentimental, but it’s not. It’s very reflective and will make you consider your own life choices and relationships.
The conversation between Willem and the mystery man is intriguing.
I loved seeing Willem’s character holding the stuffed animal his step-son gave him.
The story is told in a very poetic, messy way, just like life.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

Waaaay too much nudity for my taste. I understand the artistic choices, but they’re just not my cup of tea. I was uncomfortable during the entire film. Maybe that’s what the director wanted to evoke. If so, mission accomplished.
I understand that we’re supposed to see Diego’s bad behavior as a result of how desperate Diego is in the beginning of the movie, but I don’t have to SEE everything he does. I value subtlety over in-your-face portrayal.
It’s a slow burn, but hang in there.
The film is very self-absorbed in its own art.

INTERESTING LINES:

“What kind of bull*** medicine do you practice when you can’t even cure me.” – Diego (Willem DaFoe)
“I’ve just been told I have 3 months left to live.” – Diego Willem DaFoe

“You won’t die because death doesn’t exist.” – Hindu lady

“Are you allergic to anything?” – nurse

“Yes. Boring people.” – Diego

“You never know what’s going to happen tomorrow.” – mystery man
“My years of experience as a doctor have also taught me that those who still have a dream to fulfill have a better chance of survival.” – Doctor
“What happens next in the story is up to you.” – mystery man/death

OTHER MOVIES LIKE THIS YOU MIGHT ENJOY:

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