‘André is an Idiot’ Review: Jokes, Tears and Colonoscopy Reminders in the Cancer Diary of a Born Eccentric

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Typically, comparing a documentary to a public service announcement is considered a slight. However, considering André Ricciardi, who was both the star and producer of “André is an Idiot,” was a successful advertising creative director in San Francisco, he might find the comparison acceptable. Tony Benna’s film offers a unique, eccentric portrayal of the three years that Ricciardi lived with colon cancer, combining elements of a personal diary and character study of an unconventional personality. It also delivers a clear message, often emphasizing the importance of regular health check-ups, as evidenced by a title card stating “Get yourself a fucking colonoscopy” before the end credits.

In essence, Ricciardi’s neglect led to his unfortunate demise, as the disease was detected at an advanced stage four, making recovery unlikely. The movie’s title, “André is an Idiot,” might be a typical jest from Ricciardi, acknowledging his mistake, but it’s not about remorse or blame. If he’s going to die, he decides to live and die with as much joy as possible. At times, this isn’t much, but the film reflects the mix of tragedy, beauty, and humor that life presents. Produced by A24 and premiering at Sundance in competition, it’s expected to be a crowd favorite at documentary festivals and could potentially perform well on streaming platforms.

The initial scene establishes the mood as Ricciardi shares a humorous yet personal story about an accident involving a splinter during his teenage years while masturbating, directly addressing the camera. He admits that this was his biggest mistake in life up until now. However, he emphasizes that neglecting to schedule a timely colonoscopy is an even greater error, one that is equally mortifying. His mother, in a brief excerpt, labels him an “idiot” following his diagnosis. These harsh words serve as a catalyst; any viewer who lacks knowledge about the procedure is likely to immediately research their options once the film concludes.

The playful banter is both persuasive and subtly amusing, but when “André is an Idiot” shifts focus from portraying him as a warning, to examining Ricciardi as a complex individual instead, it becomes more intriguing. Initially, we learn about his peculiarities and quirks such as saving hash for future barter in a post-apocalyptic world, or keeping a pair of Kim Kardashian’s leggings from an online auction for cloning purposes. However, this initial depiction is quickly contrasted with the revelation that he is also an unconventional family man who is cherished by his wife Janice and daughters Tallula and Delilah. In light of this new perspective, André’s death does not appear as a joke anymore, despite his attempts to make it seem so.

Indeed, the movie becomes most insightful and moving when it delves deeply into the everyday life within a household that’s under the shadow of imminent mortality. As Ricciardi points out, “Dying is surprisingly mundane,” reflecting on how his limited time doesn’t exempt him from daily chores like emptying the dishwasher each morning, or accepting changes such as hair loss and weight loss with resignation. With a hint of humor, he remarks, “My death already feels so routine.” Despite her long-standing familiarity with his playful antics, Janice stands strong as a supportive pillar — at times, it seems she’s suppressing her fear of becoming a widow to cherish the time they have left together.

She remarks that Cancer André is incredibly kind,” she says. It seems that in the face of their shared mortality, they have found an unusually heartfelt way to express their affection for one another. For once, Ricciardi speaks candidly when he admits that without his wife by his side, he would have already passed away. Their marriage started as a mutual favor to help Canadian-born Janice obtain a green card; now, after nearly 30 years together, they are intimately familiar with each other’s strengths, weaknesses, and insecurities.

Whenever the movie veers into sentimental territory, it quickly returns to portraying the occasionally embarrassing absurdities of dealing with cancer – such as the unusual growth of an inch-long eyelash due to medication side effects, or the necessity of a small shield for his anus during radiation treatment. He jokingly remarks, “The more cancer messes me up, the funnier it should be,” but by his third year of treatment, with his body wasted and time running out, even he finds it hard to laugh – while Janice, too, finds it challenging to find the right words after her persistent optimism no longer seems fitting.

Benna and his subject are clear from the beginning about the direction of this project, although some may find the initial scenes in the film somewhat excessive or absurd. However, as the story unfolds, this apparent absurdity transforms into a form of comedic protection. The movie “André is an Idiot” suggests that at times when life is coming to an end, it’s important to say what you truly mean, and sometimes, it’s crucial to say exactly the opposite. In either case, truth prevails.

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2025-01-24 23:46