Judd's documentary is comprehensive of Garry's life, from childhood beginnings to his end days. I doubt many people realized the childhood pain Garry suffered and carried with him his whole life when his brother died. Childhood trauma, which often occurs from a fractured or broken relationship like a parent or sibling dying, sudden departure of a parent from the family, etc., is often the root cause of many emotional and psychological problems in adulthood. Judd's film underscored this by emphasizing the impact of the death of Garry's brother in childhood.
It was also incredible to see how many other comedian's lives Garry touched and influenced along the way. It was as though Garry became somewhat of a muse in the world of comedy and comedians would seek him out for counsel and advice.
I suppose I could critique one thing about the movie. The one thing that was kind of swept under the rug and hidden from the audience, and I don't blame Judd for not emphasizing this, was Garry's apparent use and perhaps even addiction to opiate painkillers. You can see how Garry was an emotionally tormented soul, and the movie emphasizes how Garry spent a lifetime searching for truth, happiness, and contentment. The thing about opiate painkillers is they don't just numb physical pain, which Garry surely had after major surgery, but they also numb emotional pain, which surely made Garry susceptible to it's trappings. The toxicology report found Xanax, Oxycodone, and Hydrocodone in Garry's system at time of death. I think it was known among Garry's friends that he had a problem. The film could've addressed this issue head-on instead of not really addressing it at all, especially considering others in the film, or talked about in the film, like Tom Petty and Prince, died from similar reasons.
Overall a terrific look back at a comedy genius and Garry will surely be missed by everyone who knew him, and those who didn't as well.
It was also incredible to see how many other comedian's lives Garry touched and influenced along the way. It was as though Garry became somewhat of a muse in the world of comedy and comedians would seek him out for counsel and advice.
I suppose I could critique one thing about the movie. The one thing that was kind of swept under the rug and hidden from the audience, and I don't blame Judd for not emphasizing this, was Garry's apparent use and perhaps even addiction to opiate painkillers. You can see how Garry was an emotionally tormented soul, and the movie emphasizes how Garry spent a lifetime searching for truth, happiness, and contentment. The thing about opiate painkillers is they don't just numb physical pain, which Garry surely had after major surgery, but they also numb emotional pain, which surely made Garry susceptible to it's trappings. The toxicology report found Xanax, Oxycodone, and Hydrocodone in Garry's system at time of death. I think it was known among Garry's friends that he had a problem. The film could've addressed this issue head-on instead of not really addressing it at all, especially considering others in the film, or talked about in the film, like Tom Petty and Prince, died from similar reasons.
Overall a terrific look back at a comedy genius and Garry will surely be missed by everyone who knew him, and those who didn't as well.