The point missed in the above replies is that film does not reflect in the same way a digital sensor does. On a digital sensor light bounces off the low pass filter and into the lens elements (which is then recorded in the image). Given that, I see your friend's point.
Digital sensors have specular reflections, whereas film behaves more like a Lambertian reflector as shown in the images below for a D3 at two angles and for a F100 with film.
[attachment=19244:D3_img1_small.jpg]
[attachment=19245:D3_img2_small.jpg]
[attachment=19246:F100_img_small.jpg]
With film, the reflection is diffuse and any flare would be of the veiling type. With digital, the sensor reflection can in turn be reflected off the back element of the lens back to the image plane. With multicoated lenses, the reflection would be small and whether it is visible or not would depend on the shape of the rear element of the lens. Such reflections appear as a spot in the central portion of the image as shown
here and
here.
Its effect is often negligible. Here is an image taken with my D3 of my light table with a lens cap. I don't see any reflection. Also, Eleanor has shot both film and digital and prefers digital. Your reasoning is likely specious.
[attachment=19243:D3_Senso...fl_small.jpg]