Gilda Radner: It's Always Something

I think that Jami Gertz should have been nominated for an Emmy for her performance, especially her rendition of the Rosanne Rosannadana routine on SNL. I thought her performance was excellent, and think overall she's a talented actor (my husband and I were just watching her in "Twister" last night and she gives a great performance there as well).

Jami Gertz may not be the most noticed actress in Hollywood, but her portrayal of the talented legend, Gilda Radner, will get her noticed for sure. I already knew the whole story of Gilda since she captivated me (despite the fact that I was too young to remember her in her heyday) Who didn't Gilda captivate? The legend alone deserves a talent to play her, and that is exactly what it got. In this honest and touching story of Ms. Radner's life, Jami Gertz looks, sounds and acts not only like Gilda, but like the characters that Gilda portrayed on Saturday Night Live's classic early years. As well as Jami Gertz, the rest of the cast portray the other actors in such a way that you don't have to guess who it's supposed to be, it's obvious. There is no "Is that supposed to be Bill Murray?" instead there's, "Oh, look it's Bill Murray!" Gene Wilder is also portrayed perfectly, I found it almost eerie seeing this movie, because it was as if we were really watching them. However, like most Hollywood movies about peoples' lives there are some parts that are "stylized" for effect such as flashbacks, dreams etc... to add to the drama. The difference is in this case it is done well and even enhances the story telling rather than make it look silly. Besides the phenomenal acting, the other excellent aspect of this movie is that it captures the feeling of Gilda herself- despite tragedy, it is uplifting, funny and triumphant, the three things I always thought about her before this movie was ever made.

This movie is amazing, it tells the life of great comedienne, Gilda Radner. It is so believable, that at the touching parts I cried. Jami Gertz looked and acted so much like Gilda, for a moment you'd think she was Gilda. The guy that played Gene Wilder, played a convincing part, but the chemistry isn't there, or at least the way I pictured it. It was like a love story, that somehow went wrong at the end. She is such a great person, I wish I've met her because I know we would have been best friends. Great movie! I recommend that you watch it!

I adored Gilda Radner and I was pleasantly surprised by this biopic of her life. To call this movie "insipid", "treacly" or a "hack movie of the week" is to be seriously unjust. It is definitely a cut above your average TV movie. Jami Gertz does a truly great job as Gilda and at times is almost uncanny in her physical resemblance to the great comedienne. Likewise Eric Siegel who is very good as John Belushi. If you were a true fan of Gilda and you don't at least threaten to shed a tear during the cancer sequences then you've got a hard of stone. As for me I cried my eyes out - it once again brings home to you the cruel nature of the world we live in when so many great people die young for no explicable reason. Anyway give this a chance and you will be rewarded - it was obviously a labour of love for those involved in its making. The only caveat I have is that the actor cast as Gene Wilder is way to serious for his role and is seriously lacking in comic ability and the script at times depicts him as a bit of a selfish monster.

it should have been awful.

it was a dangerous premise, having mostly unknown actors portray legends, most of whom are still living. (belushi and all the other original snl cast, plus eugene levy, gene wilder, and more.)

these guys did faithful, believable renditions. (i.e. the gene wilder guy had the speech patterns down pat. and the belushi guy resisted the urge to play it loud and cartoonish.)

prepare to be disappointed by some of belushi and murray's behavior. to respect lorne michaels. to admire laraine newman.

but most of all, prepare to fall madly, deeply in love with gene wilder.

from everything i know, the storytelling was journalistically accurate, and despite the unhappy ending, it is not a sad movie.

it got a little surreal watching these impostors do recreations of classic snl sketches. i kept waiting to be offended or have my intelligence insulted or to get bored.

i loved it from beginning to end. i hope they rerun it so i can make everyone i know watch it.