Review: Remembering Gene Wilder

By Alex Wiggan

Now streaming on Netflix is the documentary film, Remembering Gene Wilder. Directed and edited by Ron Frank, the movie is a feature-length tribute to the late actor and comedy legend, who passed away in 2016.

Narrated by Wilder himself, and featuring input from friends and colleagues, including Mel Brooks, Carol Kane, and Peter Ostrum amongst others, the docu-film looks back at the actor’s life and career. The film touches upon his early years, his relationship with wives Gilda and Karen, as well as his Alzheimer’s diagnosis, but the real focus here is on his acting work.

Advertisements

All of his big motion pictures are covered, ranging from The Producers and Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, to Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein and See No Evil, Hear No Evil. Wilder’s guest spot on sitcom Will & Grace is also discussed, highlighting his versatility as a comedic actor.

The documentary includes snippets from Wilder’s portfolio, with plenty of commentary about how he approached each role. This is very much a celebration of his life, as well as his humour, with extensive footage to back it up.

As docu-films go, Remembering Gene Wilder doesn’t necessarily do anything new or flashy, but it doesn’t need to. Instead it tells a beautiful story about Wilder, letting the effervescence of the actor do the talking.

At times the documentary will bring a smile to the face, at other times a tear to the eye. Remembering Gene Wilder is a heartfelt, engrossing, and poignant piece for anyone who enjoyed the late actor’s work and who misses seeing him on screen.

—

Reviewer/comedy legend

Alex Wiggan

Alex is the writer and editor of It’s A Stampede! – a blog which specialises in movies, TV, comics, retro toys, and general geekery. He is a championing voice in nerd content, an expert in pop culture, and a trusted movie critic who publishes new reviews on a weekly basis. After graduating with a degree in film & television studies from the University of Derby in the UK, Alex went on to study journalism in Sheffield, before acquiring NCTJ accreditation. Prior to creating It’s A Stampede!, Alex was a magazine editor, a senior copywriter, a features writer, and a freelancer.

—

Thank you for taking the time to read this review on It’s A Stampede!. For more reviews, check out the recommended reads below.