Posted on June 8, 2021
When June comes around, most of us are thinking about how we’re going to celebrate Dad on Father’s Day; but what about our BFF’s?
Best Friend Day is June 8th, and to celebrate, the CIFF team has chosen some of their favorite on-screen friendships. Which duo is most like you and your BFF?
Lucia Juliao, Development Coordinator
Christia, Courtney and Jane, THE SWEETEST THING (2002) dir. Roger Kumble
When I saw THE SWEETEST THING in 2002, it was funny and silly, but it was also the first time I’d seen female characters, and particularly female friends, on-screen who joked and talked the way that I spoke with my own close friends. My best friend gave me the DVD as a gift that I still treasure to this day. It’s a light, enjoyable watch and a great depiction of friendship!
Adam Keresztes, Shorts Programmer
Chris and Bud, BAD TRIP (2021) dir. Kitao Sakurai
Two best friends, Chris and Bud (Eric Andre and Lil Rel Howery), go on a cross-country road trip to track down Chris' high school crush. A cliche premise if there ever was one but the draw here is pranks, gags, and jokes involving the unsuspecting public. Blurring the line between reality and fiction, BAD TRIP is an absolute riot to watch, and it came out at the perfect time during the pandemic when audiences could use a laugh. One part JACKASS, one part DUMB AND DUMBER, and a dash of WHITE CHICKS.
Brenda Lieberman, Lead Features Programmer
Barb and Star, BARB AND STAR GO TO VISTA DEL MAR (2021) dir. Josh Greenbaum
I highly recommend this BFF comedy that came out this year during the lockdown, written by and starring Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig! This year comedies were always there to lift my spirits, and I was seeking out these fun films to help distract me from reality. BARB AND STAR is super fun, light, quirky - I am a huge Kristen Wigg fan - and the whole film transports you on a tropical getaway. Their lifelong friendship is amazing, and as I get older and spend more time with girlfriends in meaningful ways, I look forward to taking trips again with my best friends.
Brian Owens, Artistic Director
Gordie, Chris, Teddy and Vern, STAND BY ME (1986) dir Rob Reiner
When someone brings up the topic of movies about friendship, the first film that comes to my mind is Rob Reiner's STAND BY ME. I was 16 at the time it came out and saw it on opening night with my best friends. My memories from that initial viewing are about the laughter that we shared in the dark space of the theatre. The pie-eating contest is particularly hilarious when you're a 16-year-old boy. Revisiting it as an adult, it's the wistfulness and the sadness that strikes. That River Phoenix plays the character whose life is cut short adds an extra layer of emotion to the proceedings. I don't ever want to go back to high school and typically, I'm not a nostalgic person. But, STAND BY ME reminds me of the close friends I had at the time and how strong those bonds are, even if, over the years, they alter, change or fade away.
Morgan Cairns, Digital Marketing Coordinator
Amy and Molly, BOOKSMART (2019) dir. Olivia Wilde
SUPERBAD has always been a go-to when I need a laugh, and as much as I love the antics of Michael Cera and Jonah Hill’s characters, I always wished I saw a little more of myself in them. Enter BOOKSMART. The brilliant and hilarious directorial debut of Olivia Wilde, the film's premise is similar to SUPERBAD --two best friends searching for parties and popularity on the last day of school-- but this time the leads are two female BFFs, played perfectly by Kaitlyn Denver and Beanie Feldstein (Jonah Hill’s IRL sister, just to make the circle even more complete). Holding the title of the funniest film I’ve ever seen (ever), Kaitlyn and Beanie’s chemistry is unmatched, and their on-screen friendship is like a mirror image of me and my BFF: two quirky losers who love each other fiercely, funnily and unconditionally.
Gaby Aguilar, Multimedia Producer Intern
Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe and Joey, FRIENDS (1994-2004) by David Crane & Marta Kauffman
This list would be incomplete without the cast of FRIENDS. As much as we love their character’s dynamics, the absolutely adorable Friends Reunion on HBO proved the cast were the real friends all along. From Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox’s weekly brunches to Lisa Kudrow’s and David Schwimmer’s viewing parties, it’s clear to all Friends fans that these actors have found their lobsters.
Elijah Flowers-Nelson, Multimedia Producer Intern
Brian and Dominic, THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS (2009) dir Justin Lin
THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS is one of those franchises that hooked me early on in my childhood, and would have to be the movie that has one of my favourite friendship dynamics. While the quality of the series is a point of contention for many, what brings me back is the sense of family and friendship that these characters have.