It’s no secret that I am a ravenous consumer of documentary films and series. I often find the absurdity of real life, with all its many characters and creations, far more intriguing than fiction could ever contrive. That being said, I am not naive enough to think that just because a feature is labeled as “documentary” it conveys the full truth, but rather that particular crew or subject’s viewpoints and recollections. Chevy Chase’s decades-long career has given the public a deluge of dirt to sift through in developing the somewhat universal perception that maybe he’s not the nicest guy. I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not did not do much to dispel those feelings, but it did relay a decent amount of background that helps to understand him more as a human being. This film kept me guessing where exactly the factual blurs into farce the entire time.
Right from the start, we encounter Chase interacting in a way that will remain consistent throughout the film. His comments are often open to interpretation, leaving the audience guessing whether or not he is joking, annoyed by the interviewer, or just an octogenarian being cranky. While this is by no means the first time we’ve heard Chase discuss his comedic roots in a documentary — Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead, Live From New York!, and The Aristocrats all include interviews revisiting his time with National Lampoon and Saturday Night Live — this is the first time I recall him reflecting on his behavior and personal life throughout his entire career. And what a career it has been.
Director Marina Zenovich starts off with a bang commenting that she is trying to figure Chase out. That clearly doesn’t sit well with the 83-year-old, who claps back, saying she isn’t smart enough. He then follows up with, “I’m complex, and I’m deep, and I can be hurt easily, and I react spontaneously to people who want to figure me out,” setting the tone for the rest of the film. That would not be the last antagonistic exchange between the two. At one point, Zenovich interrupts with, “Let’s start again so you say it in a complete sentence.” Chase jokingly responds “You bitch,” which honestly felt pretty restrained, as it’s an interview, not a monologue. Fletch director Alan Greisman shortly after comments that “He (Chase) can be so grotesquely mean, but I don't think he knows,” a sentiment echoed by several others throughout the film including SNL’s Executive Producer Lorne Michaels. But Chase’s notoriously difficult personality wasn’t Zenovich’s sole focus. In pretty standard biographical documentary fashion, a chronology of Chase’s life from childhood to current day is presented through a plethora of interviews with friends, family, colleagues, collaborators, agents, and for some reason, Ryan Reynolds. Honestly, Reynolds felt like the only recurring interviewee who was somewhat out of place. I cannot find an instance of them actually working together; and while he did star in National Lampoon’s Van Wilder and does credit Chase as a major comedic influence, Reynolds stood out. It’s not uncommon for people who are not directly linked to the subject to take part in documentaries, but in this particular case, he was the only one without a personal link, making it feel like he was there just because he’s Ryan Reynolds. His wife, brothers, and three daughters all take part as well, offering seemingly unified perspectives on Chase. Their collective presence offers a sharp contrast, presenting him as a man who, while flawed, is deeply loved, accepted, and understood within his family, even as he remains an abrasive mystery to outside observers. They discuss his battles with addiction and how they addressed it as a family and didn’t shield the children from what was happening and how this transparency seemingly made them a stronger familial unit throughout the process.
Interspersed between these interviews and archival footage, we join Chase as he and friend Patrick Ganino run errands, enjoy meals, play chess, interact with the public, and answer his weekly mountain of fan mail. But Chase doesn’t just respond to his legions of fans via mail and selfies. The film follows him and wife Jayni as they do what is basically a two-month tour every November and December of National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation screenings followed by interactive Q & A. For a movie that’s pushing 40 years old, it’s touching to see the outpouring of well-wishing fans that show up to pack theaters and enjoy one of the funniest Christmas movies of all time with Clark Griswold himself. Listening to Chase talk about his love for the fans and excitement he still gets from participating in these events, makes you question how much of the persona you see in the rest of the doc is Chase being difficult or just a creative personality being misunderstood. The documentary even ends with Chase apologizing and when asked “why,” replies, “For being who I am.” I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not isn’t breaking any new ground in documentary style or technique but it does give a more rounded view of one of the most recognizable comedic actors of all time. While his past actions haven’t always won him friends, it appears that underneath the cantankerous and sometimes gruff exterior is a man with a heart that has garnered him loyalty among a devoted inner circle.
I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not is currently streaming on Hulu and CNN.com