Watch Wishful Drinking

Wishful Drinking is a 2010 documentary film directed by Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey, featuring the late Carrie Fisher, actress, writer, and acclaimed memoirist. Carrie Fisher, who was also known for her role as Princess Leia in the Star Wars franchise, lived a life filled with a myriad of experiences, both good and bad, that she explores and shares in this one-woman show.

The film is based on Fisher’s hit autobiographical stage production of the same name, which combines storytelling, stand-up comedy, and music, to relive her personal life and the experiences that defined her as an artist and individual. Through her tale, we learn about her origins as the child of a famous couple: Eddie Fisher, a crooner who had several hits in the 1950s and was married to Debbie Reynolds, and Reynolds, a renowned film actress. We then see how she dealt with fame and fortune since an early age, living in the spotlight due to her parents’ careers.

However, not everything was rosy in Fisher's personal life. An exploration of her family's history and her experiences living as the daughter of two famous and flawed celebrities shows how her life was heavily influenced by their work, choices, and failings. She shares details about Eddie Fisher's marriage to Elizabeth Taylor, which made headlines and created a scandalous tabloid sensation. She also talks about her father's fixation with Hollywood that caused him to be distant from his family and develop drug addiction.

Throughout the film, Fisher also reflects on her own challenges and struggles with addiction, mental health issues, and relationships. Particularly poignant scenes include her relationship with Paul Simon and her eventual diagnosis with bipolar disorder, which prompted her to seek medical help and become an advocate for mental health awareness. Fisher discusses how she learned to cope with her diagnosis and how being candid about her mental health has helped her and others.

Wishful Drinking is not just a recounting of emotional trauma or personal experiences; it also includes witty observations about celebrity culture, pop culture, and family dynamics. Fisher’s comedic delivery and irreverent tone make her recollections of her life humorous and relatable. She jokes about her parents' infidelities, her own marriages, and her foray into acting, including her audition for Star Wars.

The film also features archival footage, photographs, and illustrations that help contextualize Fisher's story, providing a deeper understanding of the world she lived in and the issues she faced. We see Fisher talking to audiences, walking down memory lane with family members, and sharing insights about her writing process. Her story is intertwined with that of Hollywood history and the turbulent times that shaped the film industry.

In conclusion, Wishful Drinking is a unique and unforgettable exploration of Hollywood, mental health, and the challenges of living in the public eye. Carrie Fisher’s courageous and candid retelling of her life experiences, the highs and lows, makes the film not just a memoir but an inspiration for anyone dealing with personal struggles. It showcases the hardships that come with the glamorous and often deceptive world of fame and the value of finding humor and honesty amidst it all. Wishful Drinking was produced two years before Fisher's death in 2016, making it both an emotional reflection and a tribute to her life and legacy.

Wishful Drinking is a 2010 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 16 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.