Love, Gilda

GRADE: B-

THIS FILM IS RECOMMENDED.

IN BRIEF: A flawed but loving portrait of a iconic comedienne.

JIM'S REVIEW: Love, Gilda is just that: a cinematic love letter to a wonderful comedienne who died too soon. To those of us who fondly remember her comic performances on Saturday Night Live with characters such as nerdy Lisa Loopner, sweet Emily Litella, opinionated Roseanne Rosannadanna, and Miss Barbara Wawa, the film becomes a sweet remembrance of things past. To the younger set, this documentary will serve as an introduction to a great talent.

A Second City alumni before making it big on Saturday Night Live, Gilda's story essentially follows the artist vs. personal demons route. Moviegoers learn about her childhood and battle with eating disorders, numerous romantic relations, depression, and her final battle with ovarian cancer.

Former SNL performers Maya Rudolph, Amy Poehler and Melissa McCarthy appear in the movie and poignantly read excerpts from Ms. Radner's journals and her autobiography, It's Always Something, making the film quite moving. Comments by her friends show her effect on those around her.

Director Lisa D'Apolito assembles interviews with friends, family, and colleagues, plus the comedian's own words to piece together her life. Yet, some areas remain unclear and need more focus. The use of grainy out-of-focus archival footage doesn't help matters either. Her marriage to Gene Wilder is glossed over a bit as are her early marriage and health issues. One also would have like to see longer snippets of her comedy routines and her unique blend of physical pratfalls to counteract some of the tragic goings-on. After all, they are the reasons for her fame and success.

Still, that vivacious personality and winning smile shines through. Love, Gilda may be a slightly flawed biography, but it does reflect a star that shone her light upon the world and gave us hope and laughter even when she had none.

I wanted to see and know more of the strange little girl and the young television sensation than this film shows. It did much better when it got it got to the mature woman, finding the love of her life, but instead of children and growing old together, it was him caring for her in sickness and early death. I'm sure there are many others like me who have not thought of Gilda in a long time because her end was so sad. I needed this reminder of what she gave us.

Gilda's story and that of Fran Dresher have many similarities. Both were the most benign of people, wanting only to bring cheer to others. Both were subjected to so much senseless suffering and loss from illnesses science has not yet conquered as to prove that there is no benevolent God in control.

I was too young to watch Gilda live on SNL. But she's an iconic comedic performer, and this moving and funny documentary does a great job of showing you why. It captures the humor and the strength in her spirit and doesn't shy away from the messiness and pain in her life. Funny but sad and ultimately inspiring.

A lovely tribute to someone who died too young and only had a brief chance to do her thing. I don't know if this would make anyone new become a fan, but for anyone that remembers her from SNL, it would be well worth a watch.

A film for remembered Gilda Radner and for those for are discovering her comedic genius.