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Movies / Upcoming / Life of Reilly
Life of Reilly

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Life of Reilly (2007)

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Reviews Counted:39

Fresh:39

Rotten:0

Average Rating:7.5/10

Consensus: The Life of Reilly is a humorous and endearing look at the late comedian.

Runtime: 87 mins

Genre: Television

Synopsis: Beloved late actor Charles Nelson Reilly headlines his one man show SAVE IT FOR THE STAGE: THE LIFE OF REILLY in this filmed performance. The frequent TONIGHT SHOW guest reveals everything from his... Beloved late actor Charles Nelson Reilly headlines his one man show SAVE IT FOR THE STAGE: THE LIFE OF REILLY in this filmed performance. The frequent TONIGHT SHOW guest reveals everything from his childhood in the Bronx to his struggles and successes as a gay actor in Hollywood. [More]

Starring: Charles Nelson Reilly

Starring: Charles Nelson Reilly

Director: Frank Anderson, Barry Poltermann

Director: Frank Anderson, Barry Poltermann
Screenwriter: Charles Nelson Reilly, Paul Linke
Producer: Bob Fagan, Wrye Martin
Composer: Frank Anderson
Studio: Reel Diva

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Reviews for Life of Reilly

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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As this entertaining recording of his one-man show reveals, Reilly was a natural raconteur.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
03/10/09
Hank Sartin
Hank Sartin
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It doesn't pretend to be a movie, really, but it's an unexpected treat from a man who made a living out of being silly.

Full Review Source: HeraldNet | comment Comment
03/10/09
Robert Horton
Robert Horton
HeraldNet

See Life of Reilly and you won't see him as a pop culture footnote ever again.

Full Review Source: Wisconsin State Journal | comment Comment
03/10/09
Rob Thomas
Rob Thomas
Wisconsin State Journal

The schmaltzy surface-nature of the show, however, is redeemed by Reilly's performance... and by a final story...

Full Review Source: Metro Weekly (Washington, DC) | comment Comment
03/10/09
Randy Shulman
Randy Shulman
Metro Weekly (Washington, DC)

...he's far more candid recalling his grand delusions in a school play than he is when he gets to Broadway and Hollywood.

Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly | comment Comment
03/10/09
Owen Gleiberman
Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly

It... holds wrenching emotional power in its naked, warts-and-all history of one man’s life...

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
03/10/09
KJ Doughton
KJ Doughton
Film Threat

...it's a funny and frequently affecting reminiscence...

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
03/10/09
J. R. Jones
J. R. Jones
Chicago Reader

Unfortunately, I never caught Nelson live, but this film has to be the closest thing to it.

Full Review Source: Entertainment Insiders | comment Comment
03/10/09
Jonathan W. Hickman
Jonathan W. Hickman
Entertainment Insiders

Life of Reilly is vivid proof that living well, and laughing heartily, can be the best revenge.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
03/10/09
Joe Leydon
Joe Leydon
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

...the man’s sense of stagecraft and storytelling prowess are undeniable.

Full Review Source: eye WEEKLY | comment Comment
03/10/09
Jason Anderson
Jason Anderson
eye WEEKLY

Helmers Frank Anderson and Barry Poltermann had the bright idea to preserve Reilly’s show on film, and... it is indeed an invaluable record.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
03/10/09
David Noh
David Noh
Film Journal International

The Life of Reilly lets us know how much the world has changed.

Full Review Source: Salon.com | comment Comment
03/10/09
Andrew O'Hehir
Andrew O'Hehir
Salon.com

Charles Nelson Reilly's one-man stage show makes for a terrific one-man movie.

Full Review Source: Windy City Times | comment Comment
05/22/08
Richard Knight
Richard Knight
Windy City Times

This is a story about all wide-eyed dreamers as much as it is about him: When Reilly reads off the roster of his classmates in a New York acting class for the dirt-poor, it's a simple act that's hugely inspiring.

Full Review Source: Washington City Paper | comment Comment
03/06/08
Tricia Olszewski
Tricia Olszewski
Washington City Paper

Director Barry Poltermann's sweet little evocation of a show business career captures Reilly at 'the twilight of an extraordinary life,' in Reilly's words.

Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | comment Comment
03/06/08
Michael Phillips
Michael Phillips
Chicago Tribune

Reilly conjures a self-portrait that is insightful, hilarious and completely devoid of self-pity.

Full Review Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press | comment Comment
12/14/07
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
St. Paul Pioneer Press

There's a genuine wonderment and breathless joy in Reilly's delivery that hints at what a fine stage actor he must have been, particularly when he describes going to a movie for the first time, or his thrill at first getting the lead in the school play.

Full Review Source: Seattle Times | comment Comment
12/07/07
Moira MacDonald
Moira MacDonald
Seattle Times

... a poignant tribute to the one-time Broadway star best known to the public at large as a game-show wit and Johnny Carson guest.

Full Review Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer | comment Comment
12/06/07
Sean Axmaker
Sean Axmaker
Seattle Post-Intelligencer

It's fortunate that we have this filmed record -- directed by Barry Poltermann and Frank Anderson -- of a memorable solo performance by a true show business original.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
12/03/07
Frank Scheck
Frank Scheck
Hollywood Reporter
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

For anyone who appreciates what The Life of Reilly was really all about, it is worthwhile.

Full Review Source: Jam! Movies | comment Comment
11/30/07
Bruce Kirkland
Bruce Kirkland
Jam! Movies
 
 
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