Sundance award winning documentary ANDRE IS AN IDIOT is a hilarious, remarkably entertaining and ultimately touching documentary film about a smart, creative, funny person, Andre Ricciardi, with wild salt-and-pepper frizzy hair and 1000 watt smile, who is also an idiot. Andre says it himself. So, why is Andre an idiot? For not getting a colonoscopy when he turned fifty. A year later, when he did get one, he got shocking news: cancer, stage 4. A documentary about someone with terminal cancer is not something you expect to be described as “hilarious” but that was part of Andre Ricciardi’s goal with ANDRE IS AN IDIOT, which won the Audience Award for Best U.S. Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival, where it premiered.
Andre Ricciardi wanted to make a film as a warning about the importance of getting a colonoscopy, but he didn’t want it to be something he wouldn’t want to watch himself – something sad, serious and emotional. Instead, director Tony Benna crafted a film that told Andre’s story Andre’s way, with crazy humor and creativity, and wonderful claymation animation, as well as with honesty and heart. Ultimately, ANDRE IS AN IDIOT is touching too but you won’t be sorry you took this journey.
The result is one of the most surprising and entertaining documentaries you will ever see, and one of the year’s best films so far, as well as something uniquely Andre. ANDRE IS AN IDIOT introduces us to this creative, funny, honest Andre, tells us his story and then lets Andre takes us along on his last journey. The story of this intriguing, charismatic fellow is told through photos and footage, interviews with Andre, his wife, their two daughters, his brother, his friends and others, and especially through wonderful claymation, stop-motion animation.
Although Andre approaches everything with humor, he is smart, clear-eyed and honest about his situation. His motto used to be “no cops, no doctors” but he amended it to “some doctors.” Treatment is about gaining more time, especially with his teen-aged daughters, rather than a cure, but he still is going to do everything on his own terms, including planning a final yell as he leaves this world, “So long, suckers.” The documentary also includes glimpses of his discussions with his therapist and moments when he drops the humor in favor of introspection, although humor is a big part of just how he interacts with the world.
We hear about Andre’s happy marriage, which actually began as a “green card” marriage but turned into a real one, about his life, his kids and his friends. Hearing versions of stories, or just about Andre, from his brother, his wife, his kids, his friends, sometimes has a “Rashomon” aspect to it, with Andre and other people each telling the story their own way. One thing is constant: Andre has plenty of charisma, a unique view, and a determination to do things his own way.
The animation sequences are a special delight, creative and appealing joy, something that really helps make this film as enjoyable as it is. Things more “medical” that might be uncomfortable to see are shown in animation and with a comic slant. In between those animated sequences, we hear from his friends and family, and get footage of quirky Andre just being himself as he goes about life.
“Unique” and “creative” are two words nearly everyone uses to describe Andre. The smart, multi-talented Andre was someone who could have done anything in life. What he did do was have a career as an advertising creative. “Advertising!” says Andre. “Who does that?” That quote from the film gives a taste of Andre’s playful personality. Making this documentary seems a very Andre thing to do, judging by what people say about him in this film and what we see on screen – make a movie about his final journey, as a cautionary tale to others not to be an idiot and get a colonoscopy but tell his story with humor, honesty, and his own style.
The result is one of the funniest movies you will see, and a documentary about a remarkably unique individual. ANDRE IS AN IDIOT is both a cautionary tale / public service announcement but also a fascinating, highly entertaining biographical documentary about one unique, creative, funny person who deserved more time on this planet. This impressively good film is not one you will regret seeing.
ANDRE IS AN IDIOT opens in theaters on Friday, Mar. 27, 2026.
RATING: 4 out of 4 stars
