Watch Certifiably Jonathan
- NR
- 2011
- 1 hr 25 min
-
6.2 (218)
Certifiably Jonathan is a 2007 documentary film all about Jonathan Winters, his life, his work, and the many other comedians and actors he influenced. It is also a loving tribute to Winters, who had a profound impact on the world of comedy and entertainment. The film is directed by Jim Pasternak and features a long list of notable comedians and actors, including Robin Williams, Howie Mandel, Jimmy Kimmel, and Sarah Silverman. But at its heart, Certifiably Jonathan is all about Winters, who was 82 years old at the time of filming.
The documentary follows Winters as he prepares for a career retrospective at the Museum of Television and Radio in Los Angeles. Along the way, viewers get a glimpse into Winters' personal life, including his struggles with depression and alcoholism, as well as his many comedic achievements.
One of the film's strengths is the wealth of archival footage and interviews with Winters himself. He talks candidly about his childhood, his early days in comedy, and how he developed his various characters and impressions. The documentary also touches on Winters' time in the military during World War II and his struggles with mental illness.
Throughout the film, Winters is joined by an ever-increasing number of adoring fans and fellow comedians. Robin Williams, a longtime fan and friend of Winters, is particularly poignant in his interviews, sharing some of his own experiences with depression and the deep admiration he has for Winters' work.
Howie Mandel, another comedian heavily influenced by Winters, also makes an appearance in the film. Mandel talks about how Winters' energy and fearlessness inspired him to take bigger risks in his own comedy and to just "go for it."
The documentary also features a number of other comedians and actors reflecting on Winters' work, including Sarah Silverman, Jimmy Kimmel, and comedians who got their start working with Winters, such as Tim Conway and Rob Reiner.
As the film builds to its climax, Winters is clearly in his element at the Museum of Television and Radio event. He performs a number of his classic characters, including Maude Frickert and Elwood P. Suggins, and the energy in the room is electric.
For fans of Jonathan Winters, Certifiably Jonathan is a must-see film. The documentary is an emotional and loving tribute to one of the greatest comedians of all time, and it sheds new light on the man behind the laughs. However, even for those who are not familiar with Winters' work, the film is a fascinating look into the world of comedy and the impact one person can have on an entire industry.
Certifiably Jonathan is a 2011 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2 and a MetaScore of 35.