Documentary chronicles André Ricciardi’s riotous final years and push for colon checks

The documentary André Is an Idiot follows André Ricciardi, a San Francisco advertising creative who was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer 18 months after he declined a proposed colonoscopy at age 50. Directed by Tony Benna, the film stitches together Ricciardi’s wild stories and stunts — from a reputed auction purchase of Kim Kardashian’s trousers to a platonic marriage that led to love after an appearance on the gameshow Newlyweds — alongside quieter, intimate moments.

Friends and collaborators, including Janice the bartender, are central to the narrative. The film mixes humour and grief with techniques such as stop-motion animation and a hired lookalike for Ricciardi’s private father (the lookalike was Tommy Chong). Ricciardi’s therapy sessions with Peter, Benna says, helped the subject confront emotions beneath his irreverent humour, and the director has said the film encouraged many viewers to get colonoscopies; Benna said “at least three dozen people” told him the film saved their life.

Janice, who lost Ricciardi in December 2023, told the filmmakers the project helped them reflect on what mattered.

Key Topics

Culture, Andre Ricciardi, Tony Benna, Janice, Colonoscopy, Sundance Festival