André Ricciardi stars in André Is an Idiot, a documentary that transforms a personal cancer diagnosis into a riotously funny yet painfully honest exploration of mortality. Directed by Tony Benna, this A24 release finds fresh ground in the crowded landscape of illness narratives by blending gallows humour with raw emotional openness.
A Catalyst for Confrontation
In his early fifties, San Francisco resident André Ricciardi – a former advertising executive, semi-reformed hedonist, and devoted family man – faced a devastating realisation. He had declined a colonoscopy with his best friend Lee Einhorn, a decision that proved catastrophic. Approximately a year later, Ricciardi was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer, a condition that might have been more treatable if detected earlier.
This diagnosis becomes the driving force behind the film, as Ricciardi channels his regret into a mission. With Benna's crew, he aims to create an unconventional public service announcement, urging viewers not to repeat his mistake. The documentary highlights a critical health message: in the US, colonoscopies are recommended from age 45, while in the UK, the NHS offers home faecal tests periodically instead.
Humor as a Shield and a Tool
Ricciardi, a natural comedian, employs humour as both a defence mechanism and an advocacy tool. The film showcases his collaboration with former advertising colleagues to develop a witty PSA campaign. Using everyday objects with vaguely anus-shaped orifices, such as fruit, the campaign seeks to demystify and promote colonoscopy screenings with irreverent charm.
Much of the documentary chronicles Ricciardi's battle against his illness, detailing the gruelling realities of treatment. He recounts chemotherapy recovery, comparing it to years of hangover training, and describes the absurd indignities of radiotherapy. The film doesn't shy away from the bizarre side-effects, like unusually long eyelashes, or the frustrations of medical bureaucracy and occasional clinical ineptitude.
Emotional Depth Beneath the Laughter
To visually complement its tone, the film incorporates jocular stop-motion animations. These sequences feature a miniature, hirsute André in sneakers and a hospital gown, enduring various treatments with a wink. However, as Ricciardi nears life's end, the humour gives way to profound vulnerability.
On camera, he openly expresses grief, rage, and sadness, encouraged by a therapist to allow his teenage daughters to share in these emotions without constantly lightening the mood. This emotional honesty, mirrored by his wife Janice and those around him, becomes the film's most moving aspect. It underscores that facing death is as varied and personal as living itself.
While the filmmaking may not be groundbreaking, the authenticity of Ricciardi's journey resonates deeply. André Is an Idiot ultimately serves as a testament to the power of humour and honesty in navigating life's toughest challenges. The documentary is set for release in the UK on 6 February and in the US on 6 March.
