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.
22 Reviews
A pretty fair documentary with a compelling subject
Bachfeuer18 September 2018
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.
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.
Love Hurts
jadepietro4 October 2018
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.
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.
A beautiful portrait of a complex, talented woman
paulabernstein7 October 2018
With "Love, Gilda," Lisa D'Apolito creates an intimate portrait that doesn't sensationalize or romanticize her subject. I love how the film interweaves Gilda's letters, diary entries, archival footage of her childhood and career, and filmed interviews. It's really a love letter to Gilda!
LOVE indeed; a wonderful valentine to the beloved comedienne; one of the year's best films
george.schmidt22 September 2018
Warning: Spoilers
LOVE ,GILDA (2018) **** Wonderful documentary on the iconic late, great comedienne Gilda Radner, in her own words (literally her audio tapes and diaries as narrative) depicting her biography from her Detroit bred beginnings to improv group Second City and ultimately to overnight superstardom on Saturday Night Live. While basking in the limelight Radner's insecurities reflect upon her own setbacks including an eating disorder, self-esteem issues and looking for love with all the wrong people until redemption in her marriage to actor Gene Wilder and her valiant, inspiringly courageous bouts with cancer which she ultimately succumbed to. A beautiful valentine to a spirit that is sorely missed. One of the year's best films. (Guest stars - ANNE BEATS, CHEVY CHASE, BILL HADER, MELISSA McCARTHY, LORNE MICHAELS, LARAINE NEWMAN, AMY POEHLER, MAYA RUDOLPH, PAUL SHAFFER, MARTIN SHORT, ROSIE SHUSTER, CECILY STRONG & ALAN ZWEIBEL) (Dir: Lisa Dapolito)
A touching if bittersweet tribute to Radner
gortx3 January 2019
Lisa Dapolito's touching Documentary on SNL pioneer Gilda Radner. In many ways a typical Bio-Doc (talking heads interspersed with clips), what makes it special is that Radner left behind a treasure trove of tape recordings and personal writings that reveal her inner thoughts (the tapes were largely done for her autobiography, It's Always Something, which was released posthumously). Radner is extremely honest in those documents and provides intimate details of her entire life*.
The collection of interviews here is representative enough including her brother Michael. Most of the others have an SNL connection including cast members Laraine Newman and Chevy Chase (who, speaks mostly about himself) and writers such as Anne Beatts, Rosie Shuster and Alan Zweibel. They all provide some nice details and insights. Less successful are the cameos by present day SNL alumni such as Maya Rudolph and Bill Hader who mostly just fawn over her memory. What carries the Doc is Gilda herself - both in the film and TV clips, as well as her testimony via her trove of documents.
LOVE, GILDA can't help but be bittersweet. The tragedy of such a meteoric talent passing away at 42 can't be gotten around, no matter how sprightly the archival footage may be (her entire recorded career lasted but a decade). Radner's battle with disease inspired many (with clinics across the country still named in her honor), so her legacy remains.
* One noticeable exception in the documentary is that very few details are shared about her boyfriends and ex-husband (musician G.E. Smith) before marrying Gene Wilder. Martin Short shares some of his recollections during their relationship during their tenures with Second City Toronto. Presumably, Dapolito chose not to disclose much in that area out of deference to Radner and Wilder, but, it is a glaring omission in an otherwise honest portrayal.
The collection of interviews here is representative enough including her brother Michael. Most of the others have an SNL connection including cast members Laraine Newman and Chevy Chase (who, speaks mostly about himself) and writers such as Anne Beatts, Rosie Shuster and Alan Zweibel. They all provide some nice details and insights. Less successful are the cameos by present day SNL alumni such as Maya Rudolph and Bill Hader who mostly just fawn over her memory. What carries the Doc is Gilda herself - both in the film and TV clips, as well as her testimony via her trove of documents.
LOVE, GILDA can't help but be bittersweet. The tragedy of such a meteoric talent passing away at 42 can't be gotten around, no matter how sprightly the archival footage may be (her entire recorded career lasted but a decade). Radner's battle with disease inspired many (with clinics across the country still named in her honor), so her legacy remains.
* One noticeable exception in the documentary is that very few details are shared about her boyfriends and ex-husband (musician G.E. Smith) before marrying Gene Wilder. Martin Short shares some of his recollections during their relationship during their tenures with Second City Toronto. Presumably, Dapolito chose not to disclose much in that area out of deference to Radner and Wilder, but, it is a glaring omission in an otherwise honest portrayal.
Not good enough
beatmaster10127 December 2018
Based too much on her own autobiography and diaries, without any major insights from the (very few) people who were interviewed. Gilda Radner was indeed a very talented comedian and a very interesting personality and I feel the documentary just touches the surface of that by recycling what we already know about her.
GET THEE TO A SCREEN TO SEE THIS DOCUMENTARY FORTHWITH!
chrls-wtrs16 October 2018
A heartfelt, honest look into a human who inspired countless women in comedy, and more than a few men as well, to shine their truth on life's foibles. You cheer for Gilda during this documentary, you relate to Gilda in this story of her life, and in the end, you're thankful for Gilda leaving this planet a better place than it was thanks to her having lived in it ... what a legacy. Cheers to you Ms. Radner, you comedic whirlwind of truth. Please do yourself a favor everyone and see this documentary!
Affectionate and loving
jellopuke27 March 2022
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.
Love "Love Gilda"
nikismart19 September 2018
"Love Gilda" allows us to step into Gilda Radner's private world with Gilda as our guide. What a treasure to hear Gilda's voice as she narrates her journey from chubby childhood to beloved comedian, and shows us how she used her playful humor to defend, delight, distract, and develop - A joy to watch.
Love, Gilda is a great film
glichtenson19 September 2018
Missed opportunity
hgalperin19 January 2019
Most of the movie shows archived videos of performances she was part of or picture. It mentions some meaningful happenings in her life without providing enough room to give some depth and explorations. Behind this video lies an interesting story of an inspiring woman that is worth telling But didn't get an appropriate treatment in this video.
BEST I HAVE SEEN ALL YEAR!
elana-safar16 October 2018
LOVE, GILDA -great movie on every level
banditdym16 October 2018
A delightful loving home movie and joyous loving soeaking from her own diaries splendid enjoyable catching and embracing every facet of Gilda and her life. A great show on all levels! All the audience laughing, a unique brave, and beautiful life. Dont hesitate to see it!
BEHIND THE SCENES
kirbylee70-599-52617917 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
In 1975 something appeared on TV that changed the way we looked at comedy for some time. The show was called SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE. It featured a cast called The Not Ready For Prime Time Players, many who came from the comedy improv club Second City and some who had gone on to National Lampoon's radio program. They became stars overnight and most went on to hugely successful film roles as well as meeting tragic ends. But among them was someone who always seemed happy, a sweetheart who could weave her magic around the audience and who captured the hearts of viewers even if she wasn't aware of it. That woman was Gilda Radner.
LOVE, GILDA is a compilation of home movies, recordings, TV and film clips, reminiscences of old friends and reflections of current comedians that are molded together to present a picture of the life and times of Radner. Director Lisa Dapolito brings these elements together in chronological order to present the viewer with the woman behind the comedian. We get to see what was going on in her mind, what formed her in childhood and the struggles she faced.
Beginning with photos and home movies of her childhood we see that she was drawn to the stage and to perform first for her father and then as a way of combatting children who would taunt her about her weight. She dealt with depression and tragedy and came to find a friend in her grandmother who came to live with them.
As a working stage performer she found that she was a natural talent and others did as well. Along the way she made friends and acquaintances that helped her later in her career. When she finally did make it to SNL she found that it was still a man's world and that her ideas were not taken as readily as those of her male co-stars. She had to fight to get her skits approved and did so not by being forceful but by working them in.
Through it all as depicted here was her need for love. She dated regularly and had numerous boyfriends. Many were among those she worked with. Cast mates from SNL and Second City were there for her and even when they parted ways they remained friends. She married G.E. Smith who led the band on SNL. But it wasn't until she met and later married actor Gene Wilder that she met her soulmate.
They were different types of people and yet molded together perfectly. They were deeply in love. And that made the fact that Radner developed cancer that much more tragic. The two remained together until her passing in 1989. It seems amazing that it's been 30 years now since she passed away.
We may have known much of this in the years that have gone by since her passing but this film provides her a chance to know her better, in her own voice and in those of others who knew her and who idolized her as a role model. Sadly so many of the original SNL cast members have been forgotten with at least one if not two generations who didn't grow up with them. They never experienced the comedic genius that was on hand in that original cast and for that matter in Gilda. That's sad.
Perhaps this documentary will make those generations look back and discover how great she was. Maybe it will inspire some to seek her out and learn for her, to be inspired like so many who have followed in her footsteps. One can hope. And for those that loved Gilda, who laughed at her performances and characters, who thought of her as a bright spot on SNL we now have a way to enjoy and know her like never before. Thank you Gilda.
LOVE, GILDA is a compilation of home movies, recordings, TV and film clips, reminiscences of old friends and reflections of current comedians that are molded together to present a picture of the life and times of Radner. Director Lisa Dapolito brings these elements together in chronological order to present the viewer with the woman behind the comedian. We get to see what was going on in her mind, what formed her in childhood and the struggles she faced.
Beginning with photos and home movies of her childhood we see that she was drawn to the stage and to perform first for her father and then as a way of combatting children who would taunt her about her weight. She dealt with depression and tragedy and came to find a friend in her grandmother who came to live with them.
As a working stage performer she found that she was a natural talent and others did as well. Along the way she made friends and acquaintances that helped her later in her career. When she finally did make it to SNL she found that it was still a man's world and that her ideas were not taken as readily as those of her male co-stars. She had to fight to get her skits approved and did so not by being forceful but by working them in.
Through it all as depicted here was her need for love. She dated regularly and had numerous boyfriends. Many were among those she worked with. Cast mates from SNL and Second City were there for her and even when they parted ways they remained friends. She married G.E. Smith who led the band on SNL. But it wasn't until she met and later married actor Gene Wilder that she met her soulmate.
They were different types of people and yet molded together perfectly. They were deeply in love. And that made the fact that Radner developed cancer that much more tragic. The two remained together until her passing in 1989. It seems amazing that it's been 30 years now since she passed away.
We may have known much of this in the years that have gone by since her passing but this film provides her a chance to know her better, in her own voice and in those of others who knew her and who idolized her as a role model. Sadly so many of the original SNL cast members have been forgotten with at least one if not two generations who didn't grow up with them. They never experienced the comedic genius that was on hand in that original cast and for that matter in Gilda. That's sad.
Perhaps this documentary will make those generations look back and discover how great she was. Maybe it will inspire some to seek her out and learn for her, to be inspired like so many who have followed in her footsteps. One can hope. And for those that loved Gilda, who laughed at her performances and characters, who thought of her as a bright spot on SNL we now have a way to enjoy and know her like never before. Thank you Gilda.
Heartwarming and engaging inside look at America's favorite commedienne
rannynm3 October 2018
Love, Gilda is an incredibly heartwarming and engaging story that entertained me thoroughly as well as educated me. When I sat down to watch it, I did not expect to like it nearly as much as I did. I was thoroughly impressed with how they portrayed Gilda, how they managed to hold your attention and how they tell a story that made me laugh, cry and relate. While I watching, I felt as though, even though I had never met her, Gilda was a friend of mine.
Love, Gilda documents the life of comedian and actress Gilda Radner from her childhood, to her time on Saturday Night Live, to her health struggles towards the later part of her life. It chronicles the exciting and disheartening parts of her life, shows interviews with the current Saturday Night Live cast and includes snippets from her personal diary to illustrate how she felt about the events that occurred.
Something about this film that really stands out to me is how smoothly the storyline and plot flows. Documentaries, especially biographies, tend to give the audience too many irrelevant and unnecessary details that make it so difficult to sit through them and pay attention. But this film has an exceptional way of making me feel like a friend is talking and relating to me, instead of telling me something. It feels authentic and real. It feels as though Gilda herself is talking to me, which I partially accredit to her diary entries. I felt her pain. I felt her happiness. I laughed at her jokes. One part that really stands out is the scene in the hospital when she is being treated. Without giving too much away, that part really inspired me and left me with a happy feeling, even though it is a very sad scene.
This is an exceptional movie. I give it 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 10 to 18, as well as adults. Some of the subject matter in the film are a little mature and difficult to deal with. However, I really think that, even though there are many scenes that can be considered depressing, Gilda Radner had such an incredible outlook on life and she didn't feel sorry for or pity herself ever. Therefore, I never felt depressed. Love, Gilda tugged on my heartstrings, but also made me laugh. I am impressed with every aspect of it and I was entertained the whole way through.
Reviewed by Ella L., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. For more reviews by youth, visit kidsfirst dot org.
Love, Gilda documents the life of comedian and actress Gilda Radner from her childhood, to her time on Saturday Night Live, to her health struggles towards the later part of her life. It chronicles the exciting and disheartening parts of her life, shows interviews with the current Saturday Night Live cast and includes snippets from her personal diary to illustrate how she felt about the events that occurred.
Something about this film that really stands out to me is how smoothly the storyline and plot flows. Documentaries, especially biographies, tend to give the audience too many irrelevant and unnecessary details that make it so difficult to sit through them and pay attention. But this film has an exceptional way of making me feel like a friend is talking and relating to me, instead of telling me something. It feels authentic and real. It feels as though Gilda herself is talking to me, which I partially accredit to her diary entries. I felt her pain. I felt her happiness. I laughed at her jokes. One part that really stands out is the scene in the hospital when she is being treated. Without giving too much away, that part really inspired me and left me with a happy feeling, even though it is a very sad scene.
This is an exceptional movie. I give it 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 10 to 18, as well as adults. Some of the subject matter in the film are a little mature and difficult to deal with. However, I really think that, even though there are many scenes that can be considered depressing, Gilda Radner had such an incredible outlook on life and she didn't feel sorry for or pity herself ever. Therefore, I never felt depressed. Love, Gilda tugged on my heartstrings, but also made me laugh. I am impressed with every aspect of it and I was entertained the whole way through.
Reviewed by Ella L., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. For more reviews by youth, visit kidsfirst dot org.
A beautiful tribute
marinucci21 April 2020
A lovely tribute to Gilda Radner's life; I laughed and cried
Sasha_Lauren28 March 2020
LOVE, GILDA (2018)
Like many in my generation who grew up watching the first golden seasons of Saturday Night Live, comedic genius Gilda Radner was IT for me. She was a loveable, gifted and guileless comedienne; effervescent, intelligent, unpredictable, kind, vulnerable, versitile, pretty, and humble. Love, Gilda, a documentary on her life, generously shares these attractive Gilda qualities with us. It is pure joy, with poignant hearbreak at the end.
The Not Ready For Prime Time Players, (many who came from the comedy improv club Second City, and some who had gone on to National Lampoon's radio program), have presence in this film.
As Gilda developed on SNL, she had an aptitude for developing likeable, flawed characters such as Emily Litella, Lisa Loopner, Roseanne Roseanadanna, Judy Miller, Candy Slice, Baba Wawa, and more. What a gift to reunite with them and their creator in Love, Gilda through show outtakes, home movies, audio tapes narrated by Gilda, diary outtakes, and interviews with friends.
Part of this film is a light, joyous look back on Gilda's life in which she began performing as a chubby young girl. The boyant blush of the comedy rush was evidently early; she grew up to become a bold, honest, outspoken risk taker.
In 1985, Radner had chronic fatigue and suffered from pain in her upper legs on a movie set in the UK. She sought medical treatment for ten months; various doctors in Los Angeles, gave her several wrong diagnoses. This was during her marriage to fellow comedienne, soul-mate, Gene Wilder, who Gilda loved the smell of. In 1986, Radner was diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer; this was shocking news for a healthy woman, who finally found her love, Gene.
I felt badly for Gilda at this stage in her life. When I read her autobiography back in the 80's, I remember learning she got hooked up with people who may have meant well; but went overboard and indoctrinated her into thinking the, "As you think and believe, so shall it be," dogma. It seemed as though she felt like a failure because she couldn't pray, visualize, or "create" a cure for for cancer through her thinking; she and others blamed her for not "manifesting" a miracle. Gilda's "Answer to Cancer: Healing the Body with Mind and Heart" program sprang from this and provides ongoing support for many.
Before her death, Radner said, "If it wasn't for the downside, having cancer would be the best thing and everyone would want it." Following her death, her husband Gene Wilder said, "That might be true, if it wasn't for the downside."
Like many in my generation who grew up watching the first golden seasons of Saturday Night Live, comedic genius Gilda Radner was IT for me. She was a loveable, gifted and guileless comedienne; effervescent, intelligent, unpredictable, kind, vulnerable, versitile, pretty, and humble. Love, Gilda, a documentary on her life, generously shares these attractive Gilda qualities with us. It is pure joy, with poignant hearbreak at the end.
The Not Ready For Prime Time Players, (many who came from the comedy improv club Second City, and some who had gone on to National Lampoon's radio program), have presence in this film.
As Gilda developed on SNL, she had an aptitude for developing likeable, flawed characters such as Emily Litella, Lisa Loopner, Roseanne Roseanadanna, Judy Miller, Candy Slice, Baba Wawa, and more. What a gift to reunite with them and their creator in Love, Gilda through show outtakes, home movies, audio tapes narrated by Gilda, diary outtakes, and interviews with friends.
Part of this film is a light, joyous look back on Gilda's life in which she began performing as a chubby young girl. The boyant blush of the comedy rush was evidently early; she grew up to become a bold, honest, outspoken risk taker.
In 1985, Radner had chronic fatigue and suffered from pain in her upper legs on a movie set in the UK. She sought medical treatment for ten months; various doctors in Los Angeles, gave her several wrong diagnoses. This was during her marriage to fellow comedienne, soul-mate, Gene Wilder, who Gilda loved the smell of. In 1986, Radner was diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer; this was shocking news for a healthy woman, who finally found her love, Gene.
I felt badly for Gilda at this stage in her life. When I read her autobiography back in the 80's, I remember learning she got hooked up with people who may have meant well; but went overboard and indoctrinated her into thinking the, "As you think and believe, so shall it be," dogma. It seemed as though she felt like a failure because she couldn't pray, visualize, or "create" a cure for for cancer through her thinking; she and others blamed her for not "manifesting" a miracle. Gilda's "Answer to Cancer: Healing the Body with Mind and Heart" program sprang from this and provides ongoing support for many.
Before her death, Radner said, "If it wasn't for the downside, having cancer would be the best thing and everyone would want it." Following her death, her husband Gene Wilder said, "That might be true, if it wasn't for the downside."
Handled with great care
Mr-Fusion6 November 2021
A loving portrait of one of the great SNL comedians, "Love, Gilda" was a personal eye-opener. Outside of a few characters, I knew *of* her and this was a welcome history lesson.
Most surprising is her admission of reticence, a personality trait uncharacteristic of her outlandish stage presence. And I was absolutely unprepared for her cancer diagnosis. Her determination during this period is invigorating, and this is where the eyes get misty.
A crucial supporting character in this story is Gene Wilder, whose positive influence on her life is pure chicken soup for the soul (a trite description, I know, but it just fits). Gene is good people.
This film is moving in the best possible sense, befitting such a luminous human being.
Most surprising is her admission of reticence, a personality trait uncharacteristic of her outlandish stage presence. And I was absolutely unprepared for her cancer diagnosis. Her determination during this period is invigorating, and this is where the eyes get misty.
A crucial supporting character in this story is Gene Wilder, whose positive influence on her life is pure chicken soup for the soul (a trite description, I know, but it just fits). Gene is good people.
This film is moving in the best possible sense, befitting such a luminous human being.
Captured Everything Very Well Done
HabibieHakim12330 June 2021
Love, Gilda is really captured everything very very well, from happy to sad, added again with Radner real voice through the film really really makes Love, Gilda heartwarming yet heartbreaking too, it makes you smile, it makes you happy, it makes you sad, it makes you cry, life was sucks, she's gone too soon but it's the best for her.
A comprehensive review of her life
Gordon-1115 December 2019
I don't really know Gilda before I watched this, now I feel I do know her. It is a comprehensive review of her life. What's more impressive is that it is based on her writings, and contains many interviews of people around her.
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