Everything filmmaking should be. The characters were natural, honest, engaging, the story had meaning and depth, the delivery was honest and believable, and the story was one worth telling about the human condition. The topic was heavy, but, it was told in such a way that it didn't over sell or over dramatise the events and it was engaging and entertaining throughout.

Films of this quality are sadly few and far between. An exceptional effort by all the cast and crew. The 5 central characters especially.

Cheap portrayal of cancer & its consequences. Examples are having a head scarf to cover hair loss (but hair still visible under parts of the scarf) when a realistic commitment would be to have the actress shave her head in later filming for those scenes; the children being told for the first time but all we are given is a sound of a little crying; her behavior seems very matter-of-logical-fact; the ending was a pollyannaish sleep.

Storyline was very disjointed resulting in a lack of rapport with the characters with scenes flip-flopping starting with 2013; then 2000; then 2012; then 2000; then 2013; then 2010; then 2013; then 2011; then 2014.

"Our Friend" is a heart warming touching emotional tale a journey of love and the ups and downs of life a romantic feel yet with a sad underbelly as this film may not be everyone's cup of tea still watching it touched me a little. The story involves a young married couple Matt Teague(Casey Affleck) and Nicole(Dakota Johnson) who love life and each other as they grow with children and work, only to have a bad news medical condition that arises to Nicole, and that could destroy it all. Only they both have comfort and relief in the form of their best friend the cash strapped and aimless Dane(in a good turn from Jason Segel). The film really touches on happiness, friendship, anger, and being alone as really it confirms many of our worst fears. The picture is in depth and really will make you humble and be thankful for life. Overall okay film to watch check it out if you want.