We all process grief differently. Some of us get a Great Dane. Or, if you are Iris in the film The Friend — now playing at Robinson Film Center — you have a Great Dane thrust upon you.

Iris, played beautifully by Naomi Watts, is a writer struggling with both her emotions and her creativity. Part of the reason is coping with the loss of her best friend (and ex-husband) Walter (Bill Murray). As his final act toward Iris, Walter leaves instructions that she is to take care of the dog. Or at least that’s what Iris is led to believe. It might have been a desperate ploy by Walter’s widow to unload the animal.

Either way, Iris winds up with the gentle giant in her tiny apartment. From there the films becomes an exploration of the classic human-pet theme of “Who rescued whom?”

Apollo — the Great Dane — is struggling with the loss of his master. Iris realizes she is coping with more than losing Walter. His death triggers memories of the loss of her father and a struggle with her writing.

Along the way, an ensemble of friends and colleagues do their best to help Iris and Apollo cope, and to convince Iris to do right by Apollo. But Iris and Apollo must come to terms with Walter’s death together — just the two of them. And together, they learn to live and love again.

The Friend is a poignant look at our complicated relationships with each other and with our pets. It’s about finding both our human spirit and our spirit animal.

- Scott “Scooter” Anderson, Scooter Anderson Communications