Girls of Geek Documentary Review: "I Am Chris Farley"

Written by John Edward Betancourt

When it came to growing up, I think we can all say there were stars that did such a great job of entertaining us that we did everything we could to watch their respective performances. We would stay up late if they were going to be on a particular talk show, or we would flock to the movie theaters to see their latest work. 

They simply brought us joy in some form or fashion and one that I can remember growing up with the was the always hilarious Chris Farley. He was a big reason that I tuned into Saturday Night Live week in and week out because his antics left my sides hurting and tears streaming down my face and I remember the sheer surprise, in a good way, that I felt when he popped up in Billy Madison.  The man was simply a comedy legend, and last night on Spike I had the chance to catch their amazing documentary on his life and career...I Am Chris Farley. 

This was a special treat to say the least because really, I think a vast majority of us only knew the basics about Chris and his life. We knew he was damn funny. We knew he had struggles with substance abuse and we know that's what ended his brilliant career and his life prematurely. So what made the man who he was? Well that's what this lovely documentary covered for all of us. Last night I got the chance to see the man behind the comedy, learn more about his life growing up and his early days at Second City before he hit it big. 

To say the least, this was a beautiful documentary, so my thanks to Spike for putting this together. Some of the biggest names in comedy and in SNL history show up to talk about this man and it is simply wonderful to watch their eyes light up as they discuss the magic that he was on set, the good vibes he provided and quite frankly...the struggles in his life. I never knew how much this man battled the darker side of his psyche and how drugs and alcohol healed his pain as often as possible and well...learning so much about this gentle comedian and revisiting all those good memories, is a bittersweet experience.

I say that because it paints such a wonderful picture of Chris Farley the man, because all we see him as is a legend. He struggled with insecurity like the rest of us. He battled demons like the rest of us, and somewhere along the way he simply lost the fight, which is a shame because after hearing so many people speak of Chris...it's clear he was a wonderful and good human being who loved what he did and brightened the room with his presence. I'm glad I caught this, and I hope you get a chance to watch it as well. It's a beautiful piece of work despite the tears it left me in by the end when you realize what a shame it is his career was cut short by pain but at the same time this documentary serves as a wonderful memorial to a man whose pain will always be in the shadows thanks to the joy he brought to so many. 

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