Marty, Life Is Short
- 7 minutes ago
- 3 min read
For four decades, Martin Short has been one of my favorites, making me laugh out loud like no other actor/comedian/singer/entertainer.
Seeing him twice on Broadway in 2006 in his one man show, "Fame Becomes Me" was the hardest I've ever laughed in a New York theater. (Yes, "Book of Mormon" is a very close second.)
The new documentary MARTY, LIFE IS SHORT is filled with laughter, but also, like Martin's life, with tragedy.
The way he deals with those tragedies is inspiring, providing many moments of revelation within Director Lawrence Kasdan's film.
A long time friend since the cinematic bomb they made together, "Mumford" in 1999, Kasdan (Body Heat, Silverado, The Big Chill) enters into a filmed conversation with Marty that is relaxed, unfiltered, warm and transparent. In other words, everything Chevy Chase wasn't in his recent doc.
We see the amazing cast of the early SCTV years including John Candy, Andrea Martin, Eugene Levy and the late Catherine O'Hara. Lucky for us and Kasdan, Short has been making home movies of his family, home life and his many get togethers with his fellow actors for decades.
Short also relates plenty of stories of growing up with his brothers in a very funny house, where everyone was ready to grab the spotlight and go for the biggest laugh. His first major loss of a life close to him hits him at the age of 12, but it won't be the last.
The film is a packed treasure chest of hilarious, warm and genuine moments with everyone from Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn to Tom Hanks. It's like having a time machine back to the era of "Innerspace" and "Captain Ron".
Seeing home movies of Short and Hanks recreating Ed Grimley and Forrest Gump for a Butch Cassidy tribute on vacation is a highlight!
I never realized just how short (no pun intended) his stint on Saturday Night Live was, but he delivered iconic moments that still show up in every highlight reel today.
Watching his early years in the cast of "Godspell" where he met his wife, along with Gilda Radner and Paul Shaffer, Short exudes such an amazing level of energy it's laugh out loud funny. The fact that he still pours out that same energy at 76 years old is jaw dropping.
The core of Martin's life and the film, is his loving marriage to his wife Nancy. It's an incredible, loving and symbiotic relationship that stood the test of time and every challenge sent their way.
Teaching moments on marriage and relationships abound, but not in a classroom setting, through emotional moments of love and support captured on film.
Nancy's battle with cancer is handled with grace and Short's commitment to family and living up to her legacy is beyond touching.
If it sounds heavy, it can be, but they are moving moments in a film chock full of new hilarious footage, the best moments of Short in TV and film and testaments from his fellow actors on his amazing and ongoing career.
We had tickets to see Steve Martin and Short at The Wynn a couple years ago. We were so bummed when Marty came down with Covid and the show was rescheduled. It's still on my bucket list to see them together, live.
Short is so relentlessly hilarious, but he's versatile. You want over the top, rambunctious characters with no off switch? No one better.
You want spot on impressions of plenty of famous people? Here's an incredible Richard Burton making a pot of coffee and relating it to life.
Prefer a very quick wit that destroys you faster than you can breathe and then moves on to the next barb? I give you Martin Short.
He's one of a kind and for me, the funniest guy on the planet.
After watching this beautifully told story of his life, he may also be one of the kindest.
Tragedy has not left Martin, with his daughter committing suicide just last month, yet another tragic loss. It's the calm grace and huge heart that he always leads with that sets him apart.
Well done, Mr. Short. Here's to you.
I can't wait to see what you do next.
MARTY, LIFE IS SHORT gets an A.
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