Review-Remembering Gene Wilder

An insightful look at the life and work of a wonderful actor

My run of reviews of films currently on Netflix continues this week with the recent documentary Remembering Gene Wilder. The film looks at the life and work of the comedic actor known for his roles in Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, and above all the titular role in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

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Gene Wilder was an incredibly passionate actor and longtime collaborator with Mel Brooks.

The film traces Wilder’s life across more then fifty years from his early work on stage to his breakthrough role in The Producers in 1967 and on to Willy Wonka, Blazing Saddles, and beyond. Filled with interviews with friends including longtime collaborator Mel Brooks and his wife Karen Boyer, the film also gives the viewer a look at who Wilder was in his own words, voiced over in what seemed like an audiobook of his autobiography.

Initially I wasn’t a fan of this approach because I wanted to hear more from the people who knew him best. That said, I did appreciate hearing certain stories told in Wilder’s own words, and then hearing a slightly different version from someone like Brooks. These stories are what truly make the film worth watching, even if I didn’t entirely agree with the directorial and editorial approach.

The biggest thing I learned about Wilder’s career from the film is how important his relationships were. Brooks is the obvious one, but he also collaborated with Richard Pryor on a number of films. It was on one of these films that he met his wife Gilda Radner who he was married to until her death from cancer in 1989. Following her death, he actively promoted cancer awareness and eventually married his fourth wife Boyer a few years later.

The film ends with Wilder’s death due to Alzheimer’s, showing some of his engagements on talk shows later in life where he was forgetful and had trouble remembering things. It was sad to see someone so well known for the quips and comic timing struggle to put a simple sentence together, but made me appreciate his genius even more.

Gene with his wife Karen Boyer later in life.

Ultimately, I would have like another 20-30 minutes of the film to allow for more focus on each of his film roles, but understand the shift in focus in the latter stages of the film.

6/10