Unveiling the Man Behind the Laughter

Read Time:3 Minute, 51 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Gary
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Genre: Documentary
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 30m
Director(s): Robin Dashwood
Where To Watch: streaming exclusively on Peacock on August 29, 2024

RAVING REVIEW: Truth be told, Gary Coleman was one of the most welcoming and intriguing picks to do a documentary on, even if we may never know the whole story! Peacock’s latest documentary follows the life of Coleman, a charismatic actor whose happy on-screen persona was marred by off-screen trials.

GARY goes above the regular celebrity biopic and delves into the actor’s personal life and achievements from his health, relationship issues, and financial struggles, which became widely publicized. The film provides a stripped-back narrative of how the celebrity world works and offers an alternative, authentic version of who Colman was. With honest, raw interviews from his co-actors, Todd Bridges and ex-wife, Shannon Price, and several family members, the biopic shines a light on the struggles Gary hid away from the cameras.

The documentary talks about the pressure placed on him as a child star and how his role catapulted him into fame while at the same time introducing him to the dangers that would plague him for the rest of his life. I believe that one of the best aspects of GARY was that it shined a light on the severe issues of fraud, such as Gary’s associates (and even family) cheating him of his earnings. Although most remember Coleman as this joy-filled onscreen persona, behind the scenes, he was battling countless demons.

GARY does not ignore the negativity throughout his life, issues, and torrid relationship with Shannon Price. Coleman and Price had a toxic relationship at best, with moments of pure joy but also extreme lows. Unfortunately, we’ll likely never know the truth behind everything that led to Coleman’s untimely passing, but some aspects of the story never add up. The film also explores Coleman’s struggles with autonomy and overreaching parents who controlled his life via a conservatorship. This wasn’t only related to finances but also to his work schedule and other aspects of his life.

This duality of his public and private experience is why the documentary accomplishes so much in showing glimpses behind closed doors in light of all those trials—but also Coleman as an 80s icon that brought joy to so many. Despite battling his health issues for most of his life, he consistently brought joy to millions worldwide!

Gary Coleman was more than just the actor we saw on screen. He spent a large part of his career raising awareness around health problems and disability, particularly kidney disease, which he was diagnosed with so early in his life. He also helped organizations like the National Kidney Foundation, which was integral in increasing public knowledge about kidney health and managing life with this diagnosis.

GARY asks the unanswerable: what happened to Coleman when he died at age 42? This documentary digs deep into the competing narratives surrounding his passing, prompting viewers to examine the facts and answer these impossible questions for themselves.

Ultimately, GARY is a moving and heartfelt exploration of the world as seen through the eyes of an icon. The documentary is a tribute to Coleman's lasting impact on the medium of television and an indictment against our society's insatiable appetite for celebrity culture. It is an emotional testimony of his lasting influence and a more rounded exploration of the humanity behind every public figure.

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[photo courtesy of PEACOCK]

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