Gloria Gaynor won a Grammy award (and worldwide notoriety) for her 1978 hit “I Will Survive.” Little did the world know what she’d gone through — and would go through — in order to make that an anthem for herself. The documentary sheds light on the life experiences of Gaynor from childhood to winning her second Grammy at age 75, more than 40 years after her first. “I Will Survive” became a rallying cry for people such as (but certainly not limited to) the LGBTQ+ community, women in abusive relationships and even the 1998 World Cup winning French soccer team. The documentary explores how those groups used the song to empower their cause and the symbolism of how Gaynor herself needed to use the song in order to find the strength to overcome a bad marraige, medical issues and the pursuit of a new album in a new genre.
Gaynor’s story is both heartbreaking and rewarding. Thanks to her candid, joyous, passionate and humorous look at life, you instantly root for her. Some may know her as a one-hit-wonder but this film clearly showcases her as an artist who’s so much more than her chart-topping hit.
While Gaynor is the star being portrayed, Betsy Schechter crushes it in her directorial debut and emerges as the star of the film. Her attention to detail is noticeable throughout the project, all the way down to spoken word being in rhythm with whatever music just ended. In addition, her use of transitions from historical footage to current day filming is done with poignant panache.
An underrated element is actually how the film features spirituality. The current day angle is Gaynor’s efforts to record and release a gospel album which, in turn, means there’s a natural temptation to hammer people over the head with a certain point of view. But this movie manages to support the artist’s beliefs without infringing on the audience’s religious ideology, a tremendous victory that deserves the highest praise.
Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive employs the typical documentary formula of wowing the audience, educating about the subject, watching said subject go through the seemingly unbeatable trials and tribulations only to see the inevitable redemption story at the end. But Gaynor’s likability and Schechter’s direction elevate the film from “typical” to “great.” It gets a wide theatrical release in February of 2024 and you should absolutely make plans to go see it with the whole family. It’ll stroke nostalgia and relatable sympathy in the older generation and instill hope, encouragement and inspiration in the younger.
JKG SCORE: 8.0
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