Naomi Watts’ unique co-star: A journey with a Great Dane in ‘The Friend’
A new kind of leading man
Naomi Watts has shared the screen with some of the most iconic actors in cinema, including Sean Penn, Viggo Mortensen, and Leonardo DiCaprio. However, none of these experiences quite prepared her for her latest co-star, Bing, a 145-pound Great Dane, in the drama The Friend. This film, which delves into themes of heartbreak, art, and the bond between a woman and a very large dog, premiered at the Toronto Film Festival.
Building a bond with Bing
Getting comfortable with Bing was no small feat. It required a six-week process that went beyond simply handing out treats. Bill Berloni, a seasoned animal trainer, orchestrated a rigorous schedule for Watts to meet with Bing twice a day for 20 minutes each session. This routine was designed to help her learn how to manage the gentle giant on the bustling streets of New York City, where the movie was filmed.
“Initially, I thought, is this necessary?” Watts admits. “I’m an animal lover. I’m not put off by a little fur and slobber.” She even suggested consolidating their meetings into one 40-minute session daily. However, Great Danes, despite their size, are known for their low energy levels. ”They get tired easily,” Watts explains.
The hidden power of passivity
Despite their laid-back nature, Great Danes possess immense strength. If Bing were to be startled by a squirrel, another dog, or a passing vehicle during a scene, Watts could find herself in a precarious situation. “He’s so gentle, but if he were to run abruptly in one direction, it could pull your arm out of its socket,” she notes.
A story of grief and friendship
The Friend tackles profound themes. Watts portrays Iris, a writing instructor whose mentor, Walter (played by Bill Murray), commits suicide, leaving her to care for his Great Dane, Apollo. This situation is complicated by Iris’ rent-controlled apartment’s no-dogs policy, with her landlord threatening eviction unless she relinquishes Apollo to a shelter. This crisis is further intensified by the bond Iris and Apollo have formed. The dog, also mourning Walter’s death, helps Iris come to terms with her loss and unlock her creative potential.
Grief is a recurring theme in Watts’ work, from 21 Grams to The Impossible and the mini-series Feud: Capote Vs. The Swans. Many of her characters grapple with loss, guilt, and profound regret. Watts believes her attraction to these roles stems from her own experience with tragedy, having lost her father at a young age. “I’m sure it has a lot to do with the loss I experienced at such a young age,” she reflects. “It drives this need to heal, in some way. Grief changes you forever.”
The power of friendship
However, Watts also sees a more hopeful thread running through her work. ”I’m also attracted to films about friendship. It’s not explored enough. We examine love and romance all the time, but friendship is such a powerful thing, and later in life, that becomes so clear how important it is to have those relationships.”
A heartfelt farewell
On her last day of shooting The Friend, Watts completed a scene with Bing on a commuter train. As she prepared to leave the set for the final time, she realized she wouldn’t see Bing again. Bing had a special trick—he could sing on command. Overcome with emotion, Watts had her driver turn around and take her back to the set.
“I found myself sprinting up the road to go and say goodbye,” she recalls. “I needed my song. I wanted this moment to be marked. And when I found Bing, I just fell to pieces.”
In The Friend, Watts delivers a performance that is both poignant and powerful, underscoring the profound connections we form with others—human and animal alike. This film is a testament to the enduring power of friendship and the ways in which our relationships shape and heal us.