Gilbert

Gilbert is an American documentary film from 2017, directed by Neil Berkeley. The film focuses on the life and work of the renowned stand-up comedian, Gilbert Gottfried. Featuring various luminaries from the comedy world including Dave Attell, Joy Behar, among others, the film delves significantly into Gottfried's personal and professional life.

Through the lens of Berkeley, we see Gottfried not only as an outrageous comic known for his distinctive voice and controversial humor, but also as a private, family-centered individual who’s modest and surprisingly down-to-earth. The film portrays Gottfried's persona on stage, a loud, shrill persona employed to leave everyone from his audience to his peers in splits, and how different he is off it.

The director sheds light on the fascinating dichotomy of Gottfried’s character. This proves that there is much more to Gilbert the performer, the artist who has given voice to so many Disney favorites, and his role in Aladdin is particularly highlighted. In fact, Gottfried's voice work is given its due prominence, considering his defining role as the parrot Iago in Disney’s Aladdin, contributions to the Problem Child series, and how he managed to transform his distinct voice into a successful career in animation and showbiz.

Known in the comic world for his comically unique voice, Gottfried’s approach to life and comedy, his thoughts, and the way he expresses them, are all part and parcel of his on-stage life. However, Gilbert goes beyond the stage, taking the audience into the deep recesses of Gottfried’s world.

The film showcases a different side of Gottfried, unknown to many. It captures Gottfried at home, and even in intimate moments with his wife, Dara Kravitz, and their two kids. The film peels back the layers to show a man who, despite his enormous comic success, is genuinely humble, strikingly introverted and remarkably normal when he steps beyond the spotlight and into his own quiet personal world.

Critical to the narrative of the film is the relationship between Gottfried and Kravitz. Not only did Kravitz fall in love with Gottfried but she also navigated him into a world of love and steadiness he never considered. The tender moments they share as a family are heartwarming and make you realize that beneath the outrageous comedian is a man who cherishes the everyday simplicity of a loving family life.

In the world of stand-up comedy, Gilbert excels in capturing the magic of Gilbert Gottfried's humor, lighting up the screen with classic footage of his performances, as well as clips of the influential comedians who paved the way for Gilbert's distinct style. His fellow comics, including Dave Attell and Joy Behar, provide engaging commentary, adding depth to the narrative.

Gilbert reflects on Gottfried’s influence, capturing testimonials from fellow comedians and collaborators. They express their view on his humor, the vibrance he brings to his work, and his place in the comedy landscape. There are moments of insight and nostalgia that reflect the friend, the peer, and the legend he is to the comic fraternity.

Not shying away from controversies, the film also delves into the more contentious aspects of Gottfried's career, particularly his tendency to use humor as a response to tragedy and his tendency to push boundaries. These incidents evoke conversations around best practices for comedians, intentions versus interpretations, and the role of a comedian in society.

Engaging, amusing, and at times deeply touching, Gilbert is a captivating exploration of the life of one of comedy’s most iconic figures. The documentary cleverly exposes both sides of Gilbert's persona - the raucous comic and the tender family man. In doing so, it creates a comprehensive portrait that celebrates and contextualizes his contribution to the world of comedy.

From the on-stage performances to the off-stage personal life, Gilbert mesmerizingly brings to life the totality of Gottfried's existence. The film is a tribute not just to Gilbert Gottfried the comedian, but also to Gilbert Gottfried the person, a man full of surprises. Whether you are a fan of stand-up comedy, biographical films, or just a lover of captivating human stories and life narratives, Gilbert is a film that offers all of this and more.