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Beauty Day is a 2011 documentary that chronicles the life and career of Ralph Zavadil, a Canadian public access television host known for his outrageous stunts and stunts on his show, The Cap'n Video Show. The film follows Zavadil as he reflects on his past and attempts to stage a comeback after years of obscurity and addiction. At the beginning of the film, we meet Zavadil in his hometown of Hamilton, Ontario. He is middle-aged, balding, and overweight, but still exudes a childlike enthusiasm and energy that is infectious. He takes us on a tour of the city, showing us the locations of some of his most famous stunts (including one where he drove his car off a cliff) and reminiscing about his early days as a performer.

From there, the film delves into Zavadil's backstory. We learn that he grew up in a working-class family and was drawn to the world of entertainment from a young age. As a teenager, he started performing magic tricks and stunts at local events, and eventually landed a gig as a television host on Hamilton's community access channel. He quickly developed a cult following for his off-the-wall antics and became known as The Cap'n.

The bulk of the film is dedicated to Zavadil's attempts to revive The Cap'n Video Show after a long hiatus. He recruits a motley crew of volunteers (including his old friend and collaborator Robert Buick) to help him with his stunts and begins filming new episodes in various locations around Hamilton.

However, Zavadil's comeback is not without its obstacles. He struggles with addiction and depression throughout the film, and several of his stunts go awry, causing him to suffer serious injuries. He also faces opposition from members of the local community who view his antics as dangerous and irresponsible.

Despite these challenges, Zavadil remains determined to keep The Cap'n alive. He pours his heart and soul into the show, even as his personal life continues to spiral out of control. Throughout it all, he maintains a sense of humor and whimsy that is both endearing and bittersweet.

Beauty Day is a fascinating and often poignant portrait of a man who is both a local legend and a cautionary tale. Director Jay Cheel does an excellent job of balancing the film's comedic and dramatic elements, and the footage of Zavadil's stunts (which are all real, no special effects) is both thrilling and cringe-inducing.

Ultimately, Beauty Day is a tribute to the power of creativity and the enduring appeal of DIY media. It's also a testament to the human spirit, and to the resilience of those who refuse to give up on their dreams, even in the face of overwhelming odds.

Beauty Day is a 2011 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.