LOVE, GILDA opens a unique window into the honest and whimsical world of beloved performer Gilda Radner, whose greatest role was sharing her story. Working with the Radner estate, D'Apolito unearthed a collection of diaries and personal audio and videotapes documenting her childhood, her comedy career, her relationships and ultimately, her struggles with cancer. These never-before-seen-or-heard footage and journal entries form the narrative spine of the documentary, allowing Gilda to tell her own story - through laughter and sometimes tears.
"Gilda Radner died in 1989. She never heard of Barack Obama, never used Skype or the Internet or asked Siri a question. For people 35 or younger, she has pretty much always been dead. And yet somehow the idea of a documentary about her, not only in practice but as a concept, doesn’t feel like a nostalgic act. It’s as if, in a way, she’s never left us.
“Love, Gilda” is a splendid documentary that tells the story of her life and career. Much of it is narrated by Radner herself because, in her last months, she did a taped version of her autobiography. She also wrote many letters and diary passages, which also find their way into the film. Radner’s own voice gives every turn of the story immediacy that makes career passages feel like life passages and vice versa. You knew her before, but now you can know her better.
Thanks to Radner’s letters, diaries and autobiography, director Lisa D’Apolito is able to tell us, with great immediacy, what Radner’s thoughts were at the time. We come away with the portrait of someone who was never just going along for the ride, but who was always questioning and challenging herself, working toward professional excellence and hoping for an ideal romance."
Courtesy - Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
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