The Friendship Dilemma

Erik Childress

It all started with a question. Can you name ten films featuring a healthy depiction of male/female friendships? Now, The Friendship Dilemma is a podcast featuring Erik Childress and Morgan Gire searching through film for positive representations of male/female friendships. Do they exist without the necessity of coupling for happily ever after? Would the relationships pushed to the supporting side make for a more interesting follow? What defines the best friendships between the sexes? Morgan and Erik take you through it film by film on a quest for what the movies are missing out on. erikthemovieman.substack.com

  1. 11/29/2025

    The Friendship Dilemma Episode 28: Children of Men (2006)

    Alfonso Cuaron’s resume speaks for itself and people should probably speak louder about it. Nearly 20 years ago, he took the core of P.D. James’ dystopian novel and crafted a film for the ages. Especially today. Morgan Gire and Erik Childress can’t help but gush a bit over Clive Owen along with the friendship that is forged with the young immigrant who may hold the, ahem, Key to humanity’s future. And if you want to read more about Children of Men, buy Nick Digilio’s new book, 40 Years, 40 Films; his pick for the best film of 2006. Buy the paperback. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

    1h 1m

  2. 10/09/2025

    The Friendship Dilemma Episode 27: Stuart Saves His Family (1995)

    Al Franken’s Stuart Smalley character was a hit on Saturday Night Live but not in theaters. Is it a comedy? Erik Childress and Morgan Gire debate that along with the arc of Vincent D’Onofrio’s Donnie and the mirrors the film may have held up to some of its audience provoking a negative response. But it is the relationship between Franken’s Stuart and Laura San Giacomo’s Julia that is the focus and may rank as one of the most interesting they have covered. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

    1h 12m

  3. 04/14/2025

    The Friendship Dilemma Episode 26: Twisters (2024)

    It took 28 years but they finally made a sequel to Twister. New storm chasers, new research and a lot of the same old, same old. Instead of an estranged couple this time we meet estranged friends. Or are they? Erik Childress and Morgan Gire are joined by The Daily Herald film critic, Dann Gire, to put the relationship of Daisy Edgar-Jones’ Kate and Anthony Ramos’ Javi under the microscope. Does he carry a long unrequited torch for her or is their business partnership a rekindling of lost friendship? Would he ever have a chance with Glen Powell lurking about? All this plus other lost opportunities, disaster and rom-com tropes and more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

    1h 2m

  4. 10/09/2024

    Episode 25: Broadcast News (1987)

    Erik Childress and Morgan Gire dive into the inter-office dynamics of the trio within one of his favorite movies. James L. Brooks’ prescient look at the state of television media in the 1980s is matched by his rich characters played by Holly Hunter, William Hurt and Albert Brooks. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

    1h 48m

  5. 06/05/2024

    Episode 24: My Girl (1991)

    Morgan Gire and Erik Childress believe that this tale of loss and emotional heartbreak is deserving of a rediscovery. In this episode they discuss how it smartly handles grief and the downfalls of shielding children from the harsher realities of life; a ball which movies tend to drop. Plus at its center is one of the sweetest pre-adolescent friendship tales beautifully portrayed by Anna Chlumsky and Macaulay Culkin. This is one that all families should experience together. Hold onto your tears long enough to listen to this in-depth discussion. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

    1h 15m

  6. 05/13/2024

    Episode 23: Lost In Translation (2003)

    Is the friendship between Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson in Sofia Coppola’s sophomore effort entirely on the up-and-up? Erik and Morgan discuss the implications of jealousy between friends as well as how survival instincts translate into relationships. Just what was Coppola trying to infer with her opening shot if anything? Disagreements over the film’s content range from her style of filmmaking to whether its leads are tolerable people. How much ambiguity is acceptable within friendships and does the cloud of sexual imagery and thought taint an otherwise chaste relationship between the two? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

    1h 31m

  7. 12/08/2023

    Episode 22: The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)

    Shane Black made a little Hollywood history with his script for this movie even it’s not entirely the one he delivered. One element certainly not in dispute is the relationship between Geena Davis and Samuel L. Jackson is the rarefied platonic dynamic that the hosts seek out. Could even a brief shift alter the nature of their friendship or does it signal growth under temptation? Is this one of Jackson’s most entertaining performances? Just how bad is Craig Bierko as the villain? What is the line that will forever make Morgan and Erik lose it? All these questions plus action tropes and a good time on this episode. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

    1h 10m

  8. 11/24/2023

    Episode 21: Beautiful Girls (1996)

    The late Ted Demme’s ensemble relationship dramedy was and remains a favorite of Erik's, but is it by the end of this episode? The discussion with Morgan covers just how shallow its male characters may be and whether or not their female counterparts could do better with their lives. What constitutes average and our own sense of self-worth in a society that places emphasis on perfection and are these characters victims or perpetuators of it? Erik and Morgan discuss all this as well as delving into the complicated relationship between Timothy Hutton and Natalie Portman.   This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit erikthemovieman.substack.com

    1h 30m
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Ratings & Reviews

4
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

It all started with a question. Can you name ten films featuring a healthy depiction of male/female friendships? Now, The Friendship Dilemma is a podcast featuring Erik Childress and Morgan Gire searching through film for positive representations of male/female friendships. Do they exist without the necessity of coupling for happily ever after? Would the relationships pushed to the supporting side make for a more interesting follow? What defines the best friendships between the sexes? Morgan and Erik take you through it film by film on a quest for what the movies are missing out on. erikthemovieman.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Erik Childress
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Erik Childress
  • Show Website
    The Friendship Dilemma