Joey Magidson
Who doesn’t love Gene Wilder? Whether it’s a Mel Brooks movie like Blazing Saddles, The Producers, or Young Frankenstein, or Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, there was a work that made you fall for the actor. Now, we have the documentary Remembering Gene Wilder to pay tribute not just to his career, but his life as well.
Remembering Gene Wilder is incredibly respectful and downright reverent, but it never comes off as fan service. The doc legitimately plays like a filmmaker, as well as his colleagues/friends over the years, wanting to talk about their love for Gene. That intimate feeling from the talking heads, as well as plenty of clips, gives any fan of Wilder’s a fitting tribute to the man. If you somehow have no clue who he is, well, you need to fix that, but this is also a solid entry point.
The documentary celebrates not just the life, but also the legacy, that Gene Wilder left behind. Whether it’s his first collaboration with Mel Brooks in The Producers, his iconic turn as Willy Wonka, or the buddy comedies he made with Richard Pryor, we see how these roles shaped the love that the industry has for the man. There’s also plenty about himself, showcasing a portrait of an incredibly talented individual who also happened to see the world in a very unique manner.
Alongside the talking heads that show up, including Alan Alda, the aforementioned Brooks, and Carol Kane, Wilder himself helps to narrate. Pulling from his audiobook memoir, you hear some of his life and thoughts in his own words. That makes the feeling even more intimate. By the end, when the friends are giving final tributes, you’ll feel like you’ve known him as long as they have.
Director Ron Frank and writer Glenn Kirschbaum keep the warm feelings flowing. There isn’t a lot of style on display here, but the let the late Wilder often tell his own story. The talking heads are solid, with Brooks certainly the most compelling, and the clips chosen are excellent, but it’s in observing Wilder himself that this pays off most consistently. Frank and Kirschbaum aren’t reinventing the wheel, but they’ve found an effective way to share in the love that so many have for this man.
Remembering Gene Wilder is a very pleasing experience. You’re not necessarily going to learn anything new here, but it’s a celebration, as well as somewhat of a vibes piece. Unless you somehow don’t enjoy Gene Wilder’s comedy, you’re going to get something out of this documentary. It’s a fitting tribute to a wonderful talent.
SCORE: ★★★
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