Ricordando Gene Wilder

A wonderful documentary on probably the gentlest human beings ever to become a movie star. Tracing his roots as a stage performer from the Midwest, he managed to impress none other than Mel Brooks since he was starring on Broadway in a production w/his wife, Anne Bancroft & he needed to fill a part in a script that he was writing which would become The Producers. And from there you could pretty much say the rest was history as roles in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Blazing Saddles (in a part Oscar winner Gig Young had to dismiss himself from due to his heavy drinking) & Young Frankenstein (which he co-wrote) & a partnership w/Richard Pryor through a series of comedies (Stir Crazy, Silver Streak & a couple of others) would solidify his legend. On the personal front he'd eventually find love w/fellow comedienne Gilda Radner but after her death from cancer, Wilder was lost until he partnered w/a hearing impaired therapist named Karen Boyer who he'd be w/for the rest of his life. Through all the talking head testimonials & interviews w/Wilder himself, we appreciate even now how much he gave us & how cherished we were to know him even though a celluloid screen would keep him & us apart.

I loved this film. The writer and director matched Gene Wilder's wit, heart, and humanity with their own. They brought Gene Wilder to life. It's a wonderful celebration of Wilder's life and art. I laughed throughout and it inspired me to see some of the films I've missed. Reminded me of the one I loved the most: The Fresco Kid. The interviews with people he worked with, including some child actors, were a wonderful added dimension. And the film brings some important lessons about life's difficulties. Not writing more. No spoilers. But watch this. You will be so glad you did. This film left its mark on me.

Before I get into my review, I want to address a complaint that I've seen here from people about this documentary. No, the narration was not AI generated! It comes from his own audiobook that he did before he died. Too bad that the people criticizing this movie couldn't have taken the time to find this out instead of jumping to such incorrect conclusions. But I digress..

Remembering a life of fate and destiny!

For somebody who was an atheist Buddhist, he certainly talked a lot about God. I don't believe he was actually an atheist, maybe more like an agnostic. Agnostic is just don't know for sure about anything, but you can have a belief, you just don't know if it's true. I think that was Gene. I believe he did believe in God. He was just open to being wrong about it.

His life was filled with evidence of God's existence as well, including so many brushes with fate. Too many to be mere coincidence. His life was filled with what I like to call Godwinks. And the beautiful thing is, he was open to the signs. He followed, where God led him. And his life was all the richer for it, full of meaning and higher purpose. He had faith.

He was a good man, and that was made clear throughout this documentary. So many documentaries show that the people we like had demons. But if Gene had any demons, they were channeled through his work only. In life, this documentary shows that he was a kind, gentle, caring, and compassionate soul - who also happened to be very, very funny. In addition to comedy, he was also a great writer, and a great artist - as well as student of life. One word that kept popping up over and over to describe him was "innocent" and it was very innocent that made him such a good student of life. He never thought he knew more than life could teach him. He was always willing to learn, and this made him forever young at heart. It was this quest learning that introduced him to his last wife, that he was married to until death did part. But because I know that somewhere inside him, he knew God, he must be in heaven now, watching over his beloved.

God bless you, Gene Wilder! You made the world a better place just by being the beautiful man that you were.

An absolute gem of a documentary. Lovingly done. Much of it narrated by Gene himself. Stories of his upbringing, his family, his successes, his collaborators, and his loves. Beautifully directed. With tender stories told by Mel Brooks, Rain Pryor (Richard Pryor's daughter) and his last wife Karen. I was not aware of his later years. They are described with some detail. A tragic ending for a man whose quick wit, comedic timing, and athletic ability failed him towards the end. The song he listened to while fading away will surely bring a tear to your eye. Alzheimers is a horrific disease. Born Jerome Silverman, he died Wilder. A must see for all fans of this comic genius! Very highly recommended.

Ludicrous MA rating on Netflix. Really? This was a kind and wholesome look at Gene Wilder as a person and his unique career.

The last section of his life with dementia is especially moving. Though this documentary doesn't include all his work, all the obvious high points are explored .

What's remarkable as a side note is the longevity of the now 98 year old Mel Brooks, who crucially helped create Wilder's career. His sense of loss is palpable.

Overall this is as good a documentary as could done.

MA must be a lazy marketing gimmick, since it suggests raw material. This is as sweet a production befitting Wilder's gentle persona.