My Hindu Friend Review:

William Dafoe stars in Hector Babenco's final film "My Hindu Friend". Courtesy of Rock Salt Releasing.

Diego: "Tell me, is there life after death?"

Common Man: "As I told you, I know nothing."

The unique part of this film is how it is getting a re-release from Rock Salt Releasing and I am greatly appreciated of that because My Hindu Friend (2015) is Hector Babenco's last film and one that could be seen as symbolic for his death, but a film that shows off the artistry that was in him. The film is one of the most artistic films I have seen in recent memory, solely based on the camera work and screenplay. However, My Hindu Friend can be a little misconstrued in some areas, including the dialogue, but the film does not take away an overall effective theme about being closer to death brings out a different side of yourself.

Hence that is what My Hindu Friend is mainly about. The film is about Diego (aka William Dafoe) and his diagnosis and must have a bone marrow transplant. Diego is a talented and well-known filmmaker in Brazil, but his career has faded as he has gotten older. With the medical procedure and only about three months to live, he faces death and must leave this world in chronic pain. However, after long discussions with the person who must take him away, Diego wants to make one last film before he dies. The film shows Dafoe through recovering and how he must change his attitude towards the world after coming close to death ever so close.

William Dafoe (left) and Maria Fernanda Candido (right) star in "My Hindu Friend". Courtesy of Rock Salt Releasing.

There are multiple aspects that stand out in the film and one of them being the brilliant performance from Dafoe. Nearly every film he has acted in, he gives the best performance you could ask for from the character. He clearly knew how to change this character over the course of the narrative. Which is a testament to his acting skills, cause even in a film not so well known, he exceeds the expectations. Some of my favorite moments come between him and the death character who is about to take him away. Dafoe goes from being skinny and bald to transitioning into a different kind of person and healthy as well.

That is another aspect of the film is the supporting cast. Diego’s wife (aka Maria Fernanda Candido) does exceptionally well for playing a younger wife who wants to have some satisfaction, even though she was there for him when he was going through the treatment. Like I said, the death character (Selton Mello) does incredible in his scenes, and even the little boy in the hospital (aka Rio Adlakha) serves as a great character for Dafoe’s Diego. The chemistry is there with these supporting characters, and that to me helped the film overall, especially towards the end when things were starting to go south for Diego, including one scene with his wife where both Dafoe and Candido give powerful moments of acting.

William Dafoe (left) and Rio Adlakha (right) both star in "My Hindu Friend". Courtesy of Rock Salt Releasing.

The one broad element I did find quite flawless was the camerawork, and even some of the direction. The cinematography is essentially perfect from Mauro Pinheiro Jr. He gives some impeccable shots that left me breathless because it looked like I was staring at a painting. Each frame has extraordinary visions, and allows the viewer to take in the breathtaking shots of Brazil and even show the hospital rooms in a close and tight fashion. To even go off of that point and show the viewer just what it is like to be in one of those rooms with the loneliness and terror one encounters when they have to go through this medical process.

While I have not seen Babenco’s other works, I did find his choices quite stylized, which is extremely comforting because he made My Hindu Friend knowing he had freedom to do what he wanted to with the final cut. And with the quote at the beginning from him, he shows that this film is heavily inspired by his own experience. That does come into affect in the film because it would probably not work as well if it was someone handling this type of story. It serves a personal story from him.

William Dafoe holds a photograph in "My Hindu Friend". Courtesy of Rock Salt Releasing.

However, the one element I did want to point out is the somewhat bizarre screenplay. There are moments of dialogue that do feel forced or just strange in general. There are scenes that show characters in unorthodox positions, not giving much room for development. That is what happens near the end of the film where there are newer characters introduced and it may not be the best for Dafoe’s Diego, but I did understand the choices, I am just unsure that it really gave me the full effect in the overall arch of the film.

My Hindu Friend has many stories placed into one overall arch, as if the film could have been a television show. However, I do believe this film hits all of the emotional beats its trying to get too. It shows an artist going through the worst of times and even the best of times. There is a subplot about marriage and cheating because Diego and his wife hadn’t had sex in five years. Putting a strain on their marriage, which does beg more questions about sickness and pursuing the passion of making art.

William Dafoe in "My Hindu Friend". Courtesy of Rock Salt Releasing.

Dafoe once again pushes the envelope here and the film was made nearly five years ago. I think people should see it just for his performance alone. And as we’ve seen in the recent years, Dafoe has really come onto the acting scene and shown that he clearly belongs with some of the best working today. As for Babenco’s last film, I think this is one he would be proud of and be proud that it is finally coming to the US. Allowing audiences here to see that this film can be a unique type of film that shows the ideas of death and how being close to it really changes your perspective on the world.

Barbara Paz dances in the rain in "My Hindu Friend". Courtesy of Rock Salt Releasing.

Overall, My Hindu Friend is cinematically and immaculately shot, and brilliantly acted from everyone. Babenco ends his life with a charming and unique film about the love for cinema around the world. While the film is English, it feels foreign and how people from the outside do love cinema and Hollywood like Babenco did. The film can feel messy in some areas, especially the dialogue department, but that did not make the film extremely move away from its overall message. People who appreciate films will find this to be an pretty decent tale about the costs of being an artist and being sick with a chronic illness. It brings on a journey through rough times and moments that I am glad the film explored.

Rating: B

Run Time: 1 Hour 55 Minutes

Limited Release on 1/17 (NY, LA, Cleveland, Detroit, Boston, Minneapolis, ATL, Phoenix, Houston, Chicago) and will be available digitally as well.