By Randy Cordova | Arizona Republic
Using videotapes, diaries and personal audio cassettes, filmmaker Lisa D’Apolito documents the life and career of Gilda Radner, the beloved “Saturday Night Live” star who bravely fought cancer. Magnolia Pictures
Compassionate documentary uses journals, photos, home movies and audio tapes to tell the story of Gilda Radner. Nearly 30 years after her death, she still can make you smile.
Gilda Radner was blessed with a once-in-a-lifetime kind of ebullience. When she was happy, it just seemed to radiate out of her. In the new documentary “Love, Gilda,” there is a lot of footage of her smiling, and she just beams. Even now, nearly 30 years after her death, she makes you smile back.
Filmmaker Lisa D’Apolito created the movie with the assistance of Radner’s friends and family. Through the comedian’s brother, D’Apolito was given access to her journals, photos, home movies and 32 hours of audiotapes she recorded in preparation for her autobiography. The latter is absolutely invaluable: It feels like you’re getting Radner’s story from the woman herself, which adds extra layers of poignancy and intimacy to the project.
Radner was the first cast member chosen for “Saturday Night Live,” and she immediately became one of the show’s breakout stars. She seemed destined for a life in the spotlight: Early home movies show a child clowning for the camera with no trace of inhibition.
