Discover the Hilarious and Heartfelt Journey in ‘André Is an Idiot’: A Unique Documentary Exploring Life, Cancer, and Colonoscopies

If I asked you to picture an ideal 88-minute public service announcement for colonoscopies, you might react with confusion or think back to when Katie Couric shared her own experience on Today. But now, thanks to Tony Benna’s new documentary, André Is an Idiot, you have a fresh option.

This film manages to be both a call to action and an emotional rollercoaster. It blends humor and seriousness as it tackles a tough subject: death. It’s not always easy to watch, yet it’s surprisingly entertaining, perfectly fitting for a Sundance audience award winner.

The story revolves around André Ricciardi, a San Francisco resident with a unique sense of humor. He opens with an awkward tale from his teens that involved a mishap related to masturbation, which he hilariously recalls led to him having splinters.

“Until now, that was probably the greatest mistake I’ve made,” he quips, only to be overshadowed by a more serious matter—his late decision to finally get a colonoscopy. Despite his friend’s encouragement for a “couples colonoscopy,” André’s fear and skepticism hold him back. When he finally decides to go through with the procedure, he learns he has stage-four colon cancer that has spread to his liver.

Facing his mortality, André takes a bold step. He decides to document his journey, reflecting on both his choices and his life in a way that is at once irreverent and deeply personal. His aim is not just to entertain but to impart a lesson about taking health seriously and learning from mistakes.

André’s story is complemented by the vibrant cast of characters in his life: his wife Janice, his two teenage daughters, and his best friend Lee. Each character brings their own flavor to the story, showcasing how they cope with the changes in André as his health deteriorates. André’s relationship with Janice, who initially entered his life as a green card bride, highlights a touching and complex love story.

Benna and the filmmaking team cleverly illustrate the passage of time as André navigates his treatment—hospital visits, chemotherapy, and moments of introspection punctuated by his quirky obsessions, like a website for planning last words. The film oscillates between the light-hearted fondness of André’s character and the more serious undertones of his situation.

As the documentary progresses, the emotional weight becomes apparent. You see how cancer affects not just André but also those around him. His daughters, initially accustomed to his quirks, are forced to confront a harsh reality. Janice starts to feel the pressure of being a caregiver, and their dynamic shifts from humor to a heartfelt struggle.

At times, André manages the film like an art piece dedicated to himself. As he faces his own stupidity in avoiding medical care, he also opens a door for self-discovery. He eventually surrenders some control over the narrative, which becomes an empowering aspect of his experience.

Interestingly, André Is an Idiot debuted at Sundance shortly after HBO released Pee-wee as Himself. This comparison points to different approaches to self-exploration in the face of cancer—Paul Reubens’ project was intentional but unaware of the looming tragedy, while André’s film is candid and self-aware about his fate.

Reubens had built a massive audience over the years, while André represents the more universal journey that everyone will eventually face, often in private. Some viewers may find André’s portrayal of illness hard to handle, while others might find it cathartic and relatable.

Ultimately, André’s film isn’t just about dying; it’s a quirky reminder to take care of one’s health. If it inspires even a few people to seek out a colonoscopy, that would be a meaningful legacy for this unconventional ad man.