In the crowded landscape of films tackling cancer, from fiction to documentary, André Is an Idiot manages to carve out a distinct and refreshingly honest niche. This A24 documentary, directed by Tony Benna, follows San Francisco resident André Ricciardi as he confronts a stage four colon cancer diagnosis with a blend of gallows humour, rage, and hard-won emotional openness.
A Catalyst for Change and Awareness
André Ricciardi, a former advertising executive in his early 50s, is portrayed as a wisecracking, semi-reformed hedonist and a devoted husband and father to two teenage daughters. The film's title stems from his regret over skipping a colonoscopy with his best friend, Lee Einhorn. Only a year later, he discovered the cancer, which might have been more treatable if detected earlier. This realisation becomes the driving force behind the documentary.
Public Service with a Personal Touch
With the help of director Tony Benna and a film crew, Ricciardi embarks on a mission to create an unconventional public service announcement. His goal is to persuade viewers, particularly in America, not to repeat his mistake and to undergo colonoscopies after age 45. In one memorable segment, he collaborates with his old advertising agency colleagues to devise a witty PSA campaign. This campaign uses everyday objects with vaguely anus-shaped orifices, such as fruit, to raise awareness in a humorous yet impactful way.
It's worth noting that in the UK, the NHS does not automatically offer colonoscopies, instead recommending home faecal immunochemical tests periodically after a certain age. This contrast adds a layer of relevance to the film's message about proactive health measures.
The Brutal Realities of Treatment
Much of the film delves into the gritty details of Ricciardi's battle against cancer. He recounts the discomfort of chemotherapy recovery, humorously noting that years of hangovers served as useful training. The documentary doesn't shy away from depicting the ridiculous indignities of radiotherapy, weird side-effects like unusually long eyelashes, inept bedside manners from medical professionals, and the frustrating administrative errors that plague the healthcare process.
Humour as a Defence Mechanism
A natural funnyman, Ricciardi openly admits to using humour as a defence against his grim reality. The film mirrors this approach, incorporating jocular stop-motion animated sequences. These animations feature a mini-André, complete with hirsute glory, dressed in sneakers and a hospital gown, enduring various treatments. This creative touch adds a layer of levity while underscoring the absurdities of his situation.
Emotional Depth and Honesty
As the documentary progresses and Ricciardi nears the end of his journey, the tone shifts. He opens up on camera about profound feelings of grief, rage, and sadness. In a poignant moment, his therapist encourages him to be generous and allow his daughters to feel sad, reminding him that he doesn't always have to make them laugh. This advice highlights the film's emotional core.
While the film-making style or the message might not be groundbreaking, the raw honesty of Ricciardi, his wife Janice, and those around him proves deeply moving. Their candidness underscores a universal truth: there are as many ways to face death as there are to live life. André Is an Idiot ultimately serves as a testament to resilience, love, and the power of humour in the darkest of times.
The documentary is set for release on 6 February in the UK and 6 March in the US, offering audiences a chance to witness this riotously funny and painfully honest exploration of saying goodbye.
