Our Friend DVD Review (Universal/Gravitas Ventures)
Our Friend is a 2019 drama directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite (City Lax: An Urban Lacrosse Story, Blackfish, and Megan Leavey). It’s based on the article “The Friend: Love is Not a Big Enough Word” by Matthew Teague and real life events. It was written and produced by Brad Ingelsby (Out of the Furnace, Run All Night, American Woman, and The Way Back). It was produced by Kevin J. Walsh (The Way Way Back, Manchester by the Sea, Jungleland, American Woman, and All the Money in the World). It had it’s world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. The budget was $10 million and it grossed $699,452 at the box office during it’s limited run. 
After married couple Nicole (played by: Dakota Johnson from The Peanut Butter Falcon, Suspiria, Black Mass, Bad Times at the El Royale, and Fifty Shades trilogy) and Matthew Teague (played by: Casey Affleck from Light of My Life, Ocean’s Eleven franchise, Good Will Hunting, Gone Baby Gone, and The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford) receive life-altering news from the doctor, the duo finds unexpected support from their best friend Dane (played by: Jason Segel from Freaks and Geeks, How I Met Your Mother, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Knocked Up, and I Love You, Man). He puts his own life on hold to move into their family home to help them with their new sad situation that requires lots of additional help for their family that includes Molly (played by: Isabella Kai from True Blood) and Evie (played by: Violet McGraw from Doctor Sleep, Ready Player One, and The Haunting of Hill House).
Our Friend is listed as a comedy in a decent amount of spots for it’s description but it’s honestly mainly a sad drama between three best friends. Don’t get me wrong, it still has some funny moments here and there but it’s a very serious film for the most part. The script has so much heart and it gives you those feels. My dad has cancer so I can relate to this one unfortunately and I wish that situation on no one because it’s devastating. Jason Segel, Casey Affleck, and Dakota Johnson all give some of their best performances in their entire careers. They have top notch chemistry here and you really buy them as life long friends in this. I am really shocked that this one kinda went under the radar and got such a small release fpr everything to be honest. I think if it had a bigger push, it might have got some nominations from major awards. This is one of the best dramas that I’ve reviewed in awhile, it’s depressing but it’s a very impressive feature. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!
Let’s discuss the DVD and the special feature from Universal Pictures! This (1.85:1) transfer looks way better than your typical standard definition presentation. I am very surprised that this one didn’t get a blu ray home video release to be real. It has both English Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0 tracks on the disc. All of the dialogue is crystal clear and the music has a nice boost to it. This isn’t the type of movie that’s going to blow up your speakers but it still sounds pretty good for just bring a drama. It has English SDH and Spanish subtitles. It only has one extra on it. It’s the little over 16 minute “Behind the Scenes with the Cast and Crew”. It has interviews with the real/author Matthew Teague, Jason Segel, Casey Affleck, Dakota Johnson, and various members of the production. They chat about the real life story. They talk about their experience making this. They go over the cast and real life people that inspired the movie. They mention their chemistry and the performances in this. It comes with a slipcover. It’s available everywhere right now, CHECK IT OUT!!!!
This was such a good movie.