André Is an Idiot: A Film That Redefines Facing Mortality with Laughter
When André Ricciardi received a stage 4 cancer diagnosis at age 50, his response was anything but conventional. Instead of retreating into fear, he enlisted his best friend Lee and director Tony Benna to document his journey, resulting in the astonishing documentary André Is an Idiot. This film, set for release in UK cinemas from 6 February, masterfully blends riotous humour with poignant moments, creating a unique exploration of life, death, and the power of storytelling.
The Unlikely Genesis of a Documentary
Tony Benna, the film's director, recalls receiving an unexpected Zoom call from André and Lee. "I hadn't spoken to André in probably five years," Benna admits. Their previous collaborations in advertising had involved wild escapades, from shooting with Ozzy Osbourne to meeting Eminem. On screen, André delivered a bombshell: "I have cancer and I'll probably be dead in three years. Want to make a film about it?" Benna was initially hesitant, wary of creating a maudlin cancer narrative, but André's larger-than-life personality convinced him. "He's one of the most insane people I've ever met," Benna says, emphasising his desire to capture André's countless wild stories.
A Tapestry of Absurd and Touching Anecdotes
The documentary delves into André's extraordinary life, verified through friends and family. It reveals that he once purchased Kim Kardashian's old leather trousers at auction, hoping to clone her DNA. Another tale involves a mishap in his grandparents' bathroom that required removing splinters from his penis. Perhaps most famously, André entered a platonic green card marriage with Janice, a bartender, which led them to win a holiday on the gameshow Newlyweds through a clever alphabetical strategy. "I don't know how legal it was," Janice laughs today, noting they unexpectedly fell in love during the trip.
Creative Techniques and Emotional Depth
Benna employs innovative stop-motion animation to recreate key scenes, such as bringing André's chemo hair to life. When André's private father refused to appear, they cast legendary weed smoker Tommy Chong as a lookalike. The film's frenetic pace is balanced by Janice's steadfast presence, adding emotional resonance as she supports André through his illness. "Her presence adds emotional depth to what might otherwise be a series of wacky adventures," the documentary shows, highlighting her role in navigating test results and care.
Confronting Vulnerability and Legacy
André's sessions with his therapist, Peter, provide profound insights. Peter helps André move beyond his defence mechanisms of irreverent humour, encouraging vulnerability. "You are more than just your irreverent humour," Peter tells him, facilitating a grieving process for André and his family. This transformation allows André to appreciate his life's value, culminating in a campaign promoting colonoscopies that uses everyday items resembling sphincters—a project he finds meaningful amidst his diagnosis.
Impact and Reception
The film has resonated deeply, winning the audience award at Sundance Festival in 2023. Benna describes the standing ovation as surreal, with many viewers expressing how it alleviated fear and isolation during their own health battles. "I've had at least three dozen people say the film saved their life," Benna notes, as it encouraged early cancer screenings. In his final days, André reflected that these were "the best years of my life," a sentiment echoed by Janice and Lee, who found the experience brought them closer in an intense, emotional way.
André Is an Idiot ultimately serves as a testament to approaching mortality with creativity, humour, and connection, offering a heartfelt narrative that challenges conventional perceptions of cancer and death.
