‘André Is an Idiot’ Review: An Unexpectedly Funny and Poignant Documentary About Life, Cancer and Colonoscopies

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If I were to inquire about your vision for a 88-minute Public Service Announcement (PSA) focused on colonoscopies, it’s likely that you might respond with either “What?!” or “Oh, you mean like when Katie Couric underwent a colonoscopy on ‘Today’ show.

Due to Tony Benna’s latest documentary titled “André Is an Idiot“, we now have a plausible alternative option.

The film is a compelling blend of humor, sadness, and discomfort, functioning as both a poignant public service message and a thoughtful memento mori in documentary form. Despite its potentially grim subject matter, it’s surprisingly engaging to watch, offering an unexpected combination of a sarcastic protagonist’s journey and a Sundance audience award.

The individual referred to as “André” here is actually André Ricciardi, a resident of San Francisco. He initiates the documentary by narrating an unfortunate incident from his adolescence involving masturbation, which resulted in him acquiring splinters in his genitalia.

“Until now, that was probably the greatest mistake I’ve made,” he says.

Andre’s refusal to undergo a colonoscopy has unfortunately earned him the unwanted recognition. Adhering to a “No Medical Professionals” policy, Andre delayed the procedure despite Lee, his best friend, inviting him for a joint colonoscopy. When he eventually attempted to schedule one… it was too late and he was informed that he had advanced stage four colon cancer which had spread to his liver.

In the face of mortality, a man known for his self-deprecating humor as an “idiot” embarks on creating a documentary about his own foibles, reflecting his offbeat perspective and whimsical distractions. He isn’t entirely sure why he’s undertaking this fresh endeavor, often collaborating with associates from his advertising past, other than to seize this unique opportunity for personal growth. Initially viewed as a moment of boredom or eccentricity for a bucket list item, the project takes on a more introspective tone that resonates deeply, although it never veers away from its primary goal of warning others about his peculiar brand of idiocy.

The documentary features André, a quick-witted and sharp character, along with numerous individuals from his personal life. His wife, Janice, originally came to the U.S. as André’s green card bride, but their story is more intriguing when it’s told in full. He has two teenage daughters who are used to their father’s quirks, although this new turn in his life might be too dramatic for them to handle. His best friend Lee is also part of the picture, and they both promise to preserve their lifelong irreverence throughout André’s health journey. Throughout the film, you’ll encounter André’s doubtful brother, several colleagues, a perceptive therapist, and in one touching scene, his father – though I won’t reveal how that scene unfolds.

As a gamer, I and my crew are assisting André in every possible way, devising clever methods to document the flow of his life, particularly those impacted by cancer. We’re keeping track of chemotherapy sessions, doctor visits, and other related events. We’ve even found an intriguing website that helps people plan their last words. Besides his everyday interests, we’re also delving into André’s unique curiosities, from the mundane to the peculiar, like pondering what happens after he passes away.

We’re interspersing our journey with playful time-lapse sequences, stop-motion animation segments, and sprinkling in a touch of whimsy where we can. As maintaining humor becomes more challenging, we’re trying to keep things lighthearted for André’s sake.

There’s the text and then there’s the dark undercurrent beneath the text.

André is often the focal point of the documentary and it becomes evident when the impact of cancer on him becomes undeniable, a time when his voice breaks more frequently than not. However, the focus should also be on the evolution of the documentary’s cast, such as the daughter who gradually withdraws from on-screen appearances, the decreasing instances of playful moments with Lee, and Janice’s increasing fatigue. The burden of caretaking initially seems like a joke, then something André acknowledges openly, and eventually transforms into a constant weight that Janice carries – a weight that grows heavier as viewers recall their unconventional relationship and contemplate a remarkable, heartwarming love story.

At times, André seems to treat the documentary as if it’s a reflection of himself. Over the course of production, he may be letting go of control or deliberately choosing to create a self-portrait about surrendering control, which holds its own unique power.

André’s movie, titled “André“, premiered at Sundance just following the release of the HBO documentary Pee-wee as Himself. This timing allows for intriguing comparisons; while the former is about André, the latter focuses on Paul Reubens who was making a biographical/autobiographical film. Unbeknownst to the filmmakers, Reubens was undergoing cancer treatments during this process, which viewers learn about only after watching the completed film and becoming aware of his passing in 2023. These two productions offer unique perspectives on self-definition and morality, both presented through characters that might be considered man-children. However, their unexpected similarities make them compelling counterparts in a literary sense.

The Reubens documentary is expected to draw a wide audience without much competition. With numerous generations familiar with and fond of Pee-wee Herman and Reubens, it’s likely that many will tune in for a comprehensive perspective on his highly-publicized life.

In André’s situation, this represents his final, public statement on a journey that everyone eventually embarks upon, but typically undertakes in private. Some spectators might find the film “André Is an Idiot” too personal to watch; others may find it deeply moving and therapeutic due to its universality. André himself clarifies that this isn’t a promotional piece about death or dying, but rather his unique interpretation of the experience. If by chance this prompts some viewers to avoid being foolish and schedule colonoscopies, that would be quite an impressive legacy for any eccentric advertiser to pass on.

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2025-02-04 03:55