Gary

For an excellent behind the scenes view of what Gary was really like on the set of Diffrent Strokes I highly recommend reading Todd Bridges biography. Todd provides a lot of detail and context that was sorely missing from this documentary. The majority of people know Gary Coleman from DS. Yet much of his experiences on the show was glossed over in this documentary. The behavior of his parents on set was legendary. Particularly his father--although his Mother was very much a stage mother. It is a sad and familiar story. Why so much screen time was given to his ex-wife is bewildering as she didn't know him very long and she was clearly a just another leech in a long line of leeches--who sucked the money and life out of Coleman. Her 911 call was suspect IMO giving details in a calm voice while there is blood everywhere and your boyfriend is unresponsive? Strange.

This examination on the late child actor Gary Coleman (1968-2010) offers a full view on the many controversies surrounding his life and career, and just a few glimpses about his work and talent. To the most devoted fans who expect to see a lot from his moments of glory, humor and the perks of fame, you won't be seeing much of those in "Gary". Peacock followed family and friends, colleagues, lawyers and agents, and no one outside of his inner circle to present the viewer's perspective in seeing a talented and charismatic child dominating the screen in the incredible "Diff'rent Strokes" and other smaller projects. But to the ones who follow rise and fall and controversies of an actor, this one offers a full view that doesn't disappoint and it generates curiosity in those who don't know much about Gary.

What dominates this special are the countless dramatic moments that followed Coleman, either dealing with parents and agents who micromanaged his career and finances to a critical point, where the actor was being literally robbed by nearly everyone around him. It's sad to say it, but it's the usual textbook that followed many child actors/artists through decades (rare these days, but still happens). But seeing the scope of things, what happened to an already frail kid with many health issues, and that "fate" of dealing with untrsuty people followed him even when he got married later on, it's tragic.

The presence of his parents, the wife and the agent who profitted of him can revolt the most sensitive viewer - I was in total disbelief seeing their "serious" act on screen. Gotta have a lot of nerve.

But it also follows his true loyal friends who helped him out whenever needed (Dion Mial, who later became his manager after a falling out with a previous agent, shares many amazing stories of genuine friendship. Lucky folks might have a buddy like him). Co-star Todd Bridges and a few others who worked on "Diff'rent Strokes" offer the good stories from behind the scenes of the show, and some serious ones concerning Coleman's dad bossing around on the set.

I can't offer a view of Gary Coleman as a fan since I know very little about him, in fact I only know him because of that show (called "Arnold" in here) which had a re-run a lot later but very popular to audiences. I didn't know about the whole issue concerning his death and the foul play suspicious on the ex-wife, and that really took me by surprise. But if comparing with other documentaries made about important personalities, I can understand the criticism and rejection some viewers will have with this project since it's too downer and focused on gossips or "he said/she said", and very little about his work and attempts to rebuild his career outside of the Arnold Jackson character. We have plenty of great clips of his TV and cinema work, but without the input from critics or artists who were inspired by Coleman, there's something missing to understand one of the greatest TV icons of the 1970's-1980's.

Yet I was thrilled with it. It was a quite emotional journey with many surprising facts, dramatic moments and some humored as well - I couldn't resist laughing at his loan/credit commercial where he was poking fun of his downer financial problems. And viewers can take a closer look at Coleman that goes beyond Arnold: the funny kid; the brave kid who loved his work and continued with it despite being sick; the young man who struggled a lot, almost gave up of everything when things weren't going his way, made some mistakes but kept going facing the obstacles. It's mostly a downer, but there are inspiring moments that can make you look at things in a positive way, and just be critical of this fame thing and how it ruins bright talents who aren't sheltered with a great support network. As Mial says, this was a cautionary tale. 9/10.

I've read about Gary Coleman throughout the years, but never had much interest in him, and never watched his TV show. Thus, I did not know if I would watch this entire documentary. I ended up having no problem watching it until the end. The doc moved along nicely and wasn't repetitious. It does offer some good insight into his life, but not enough to make it more than a sympathetic look, lacking in critical observations.

For example, why did Gary Coleman choose to marry the woman he married and still live with her after they divorced? She was a not-too-bright user who hit him, just as he hit her. With his fame and medical condition, he could have easily found a kind, nurturing woman, such as a nurse, to marry; who would have dedicated her life to supporting and taking care of him. Did he want to keep feeling like a victim, and replay over and over again the way he felt others used him?

His parents were interviewed and they weren't portrayed as the demons some think they were. His first agent was interviewed and he also did not come across badly. His best friend was constantly interviewed, and there seemed nothing nefarious about their friendship, even though his father had his suspicions. The only one who came across badly was his ex-wife, but I somewhat doubt she was responsible for his death. The two of them were a trainwreck waiting to happen, and you don't need a person to cause a trainwreck.

I grew up watching Gary Coleman since I was a baby. In particular, the sitcom Diff'rent Stroke was a family favourite. This documentary help shed light to the up and downs of this young man who could have still been alive to this day.

It is a cautionary tale in that he could have enjoyed the millions that he worked hard over the years yet as a minor (and I somewhat do not blame him for this), he had to entrust his money to a group of individuals who took advantage of him. It is even worse that he was Black.

His story is a cautionary tale never to entrust one's money to individuals who at the end will take advantage of you.

Interviews with many of the people closest to Coleman, notably his ex-wife and his longtime former agent and manager, along with his closest and dearest friends, who state the case for why that first group was responsible for a life that Coleman him expressed as being full of misery.

The film is very well edited, especially given all the ground it covers and the huge differences among those interviewed about who's to blame for what. The film also shows a beautiful degree of compassion for all that Coleman went through in his life without covering up a few of the times when he exhibited questionable behavior.