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In her own words, comedienne Gilda Radner looks back and reflects on her life and career. Weaving together recently discovered audiotapes, interviews with her friends, rare home movies and diaries read by modern-day comediennes (including Amy Poehler), LOVE Gilda offers a unique window into the honest and whimsical world of a beloved performer whose greatest role was sharing her story.
Opening night of this years Tribeca Film Festival was the poignant, bittersweet documentary, “Love, Gilda,” directed by Lisa D’Apolito. Good choice!
D’Apolito deftly blends rare personal audio and video recordings with heartfelt journal musings which are read aloud by contemporary comedians inspired by Gilda. Interviews with friends and “Saturday Night Live” cast members brings Radner into sharp focus, providing us with an intimate look at her life.
Gilda was one of the seven original cast members of the NBC sketch comedy show “SNL” and was actually the first of the seven to be cast. Almost overnight, she was an instant sensation, performing her frenzied and dazzling comedy sketches to our delight. Born in Detroit, the inspiration for many of her characters came from her background; folks she knew or family members.
I was fortunate to speak with Alan Zweibel, who, along with his wife Robin, served as executive producers of “Love, Gilda.” Alan was an original “Saturday Night Live” writer and was Gilda’s writing partner who helped her create and develop characters like Roseanne Roseannadanna. Her catchphrase, “‘It’s always something,’ was something I heard my grandparents say my whole life,” said Alan.
I asked him when he first got involved with the documentary. “When Lisa D’Apolito called me, I told her that I would help and I jumped on board right away!” Robin was Gilda’s best friend and much of the memorabilia you see in the film comes from her collection. The Tribeca Film Festival screening was especially poignant for the Zweibel family as they watched many of their own home videos and photographs on the big screen as part of her story.
Much of the film is narrated by the late comedienne herself, which is an exceptional treat for her fans. Her meticulous diaries and journals include all her thoughts (warts and all), as she reflects back on her career and of a life that was tragically cut short. I don’t cry easily, but in the span of a minute, I went from hysterical laughing to sobbing and back to laughing again. The film will not only reacquaint people with her comedic brilliance but is also a great way to introduce her to new audiences as well.
“Love, Gilda” deservedly won the Audience Award at this year’s Cinetopia Film Festival in her home state of Michigan. As Roseanne Roseannadanna would say, “It’s always something.” And “Love, Gilda” is really something special.
Now playing at the Magnolia Theatre in Dallas and the Austin Film Society Cinema
