While filming fundraising videos for the Gilda’s Club charity, director Lisa D’Apolito decided to make this bittersweet documentary about its founder, drawing on an enormous archive of journal entries and letters to chronicle comedienne Gilda Susan Radner’s life. Born in Detroit, MI, and raised by a beloved nanny called Dibby, Gilda constantly battled bulimia and depression after her father died when she was 14. She left the University of Michigan to follow a boyfriend to Canada, where she appeared in a local production of the musical Godspell with young Martin Short, and the pair became romantically involved. Radner joined the Toronto troupe The Second City, working alongside Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, and Eugene Levy. She moved to New York City in the early 1970s and became the first female cast member of Saturday Night Live, where she created her most memorable characterizations: raunchy Roseanne Roseannadanna and elderly Emily Litella. Radner’s exuberance masked her seemingly desperate need for affection and approval. After working on the 1982 action comedy Hanky Panky, she married actor Gene Wilder. She was later diagnosed with ovarian cancer, which claimed her life in 1989. Founded in her memory, Gilda’s Club opened its iconic red doors in 1995 to provide a place where cancer patients and their families could find support, resources, and a caring community. Lacking a substantive interview with Radner herself, D’Apolito relies on voiceover pieces, home videos, and reminiscences by Short, Chevy Chase, Lorne Michaels, and Laraine Newman. Although they didn’t know Radner, the comedians Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, and Bill Hader were inspired by her work. Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include additional interviews (38 min.), “Gilda’s Home Movies” (10 min.), and a photo gallery. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a fine documentary tribute.] (S. Granger)
Love, Gilda
Magnolia, 86 min., not rated, DVD: $26.99, Jan. 1 Volume 34, Issue 1
Love, Gilda
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