A Documentary Reminder to 'Get Your F*cking Colonoscopy'
André is an Idiot is a comedic documentary about André Ricciardi, who’s dying of colon cancer. After putting off a routine colonoscopy for a year, André is diagnosed with cancer which, because of the delay, is terminal. That’s right, I said comedic.
What transforms an otherwise depressing subject into a surprisingly funny and profound film is André himself; his infectious charisma and offbeat humour are the driving force of the narrative. André approaches life with a unique and whimsical outlook, so it’s only natural that he applies the same enthusiastic curiosity to his own death too. The result is a refreshing look at cancer, grief, and mortality.
The film opens with André, looking directly into the camera and describing a particularly excruciating account of a teenage masturbation mishap. This scene sets the tone for the rest of the documentary; a frank, humorous examination of a taboo topic told from André’s unusually light-hearted perspective. After our introduction to André, a broader picture of his life emerges; how he married a Canadian bartender so she could get a green card and he, unlimited access to the bar. The two decided to practice for their immigration interview by entering an episode of The Newlyweds Game, which they won, and subsequently fell in love. We meet his wife, daughters, best friend and slightly exasperated big brother, and get a glimpse of each of their unique relationships with André. Finally, the story of his diagnosis, treatment, and various side effects unfold with remarkable candour and levity. André’s musings are interspersed throughout, brought to life with zany B-roll of a barbie-esque André in various oddball scenarios, some imagined and some anecdotal.
The editing is one of the documentary’s greatest strengths. With André’s personality at its heart, the film relies on how the audience connects with him. Fortunately, his unique spirit is captured in a warm and affectionate portrait without slipping into sentimentality.
The editors navigate the tonal shifts with impressive dexterity, maintaining a lively momentum throughout. When the light tone is punctuated with heavier scenes, they aren’t drawn out, maintaining a precise balance between light and dark.
Beneath the film’s irreverent tone lies real substance. Delivered with beguiling absurdity, the audience is left completely disarmed, so that the rare moments of emotional vulnerability land with unexpected gravity. In one particularly poignant scene, André is forced to confront the reality of his own death and the impact it will have on his loved ones. He speaks candidly with his therapist about the difficulty of watching their preemptive grief, and how to resist the impulse of making light of it all to ease their pain. Whilst the overall comedic buoyancy makes the film so enjoyable to watch, it is the more profound moments that leave a lasting impact.
André’s story is far more than just a cautionary tale. His unique outlook brings surprising levity to a subject that’s usually avoided. In doing so, the film not only encourages a more open, human response to cancer and death but also paints a vivid portrait of a funny, brilliant man worth remembering. Also… GET YOUR F***KING COLONOSCOPY!
Andre Is An Idiot by Tony Benna will be out in French cinemas from 26th April 2026.
Andre Is An Idiot by Tony Benna World Premiered at Sundance Film Festival 2025 where it won the Jonathan Oppenheim Editing Award: US Documentary and Audience Award: US Documentary.
The film is produced by A24 Films, Sandbox Films and Safehouse Pictures
