Lady Gaga’s new Netflix documentary, "Gaga: Five Foot Two", shows the artistic process to her latest album Joanne. Overall, this film shows fans her new-found confidence, her battle with fibromyalgia, her anxiety with her music and her career, and her loneliness. The documentary was alright but didn’t address the what fans wanted to know about why her songs have been somewhat unsuccessful for such a star like her, and didn’t even discuss when she lashed out at her management.
Her newest released album, Joanne, is a tribute to her aunt that she never met who passed away from lupus at 19. When it was first released, fans were confused as to why she dedicated the whole album to her aunt, and the documentary didn’t clear that up for anyone. Gaga even seemed confused the whole time trying to explain the family drama that she somehow twisted into an album.
The most awkward part of the whole film was when she showed the song "Joanne" to her grandma. I expected tears from her grandma and a heartwarming reaction, but it ended up just being Gaga sobbing while her grandma sat comforting her. As Gaga left, her grandma even said “Honey, it’s been a long time. It’s been over 40 years. Don’t become maudlin over all this.” Super awkward.
.
On the more positive side, this documentary was a story about her anxieties and insecurities. Aside from the awkward moments, we get to see the real Gaga. The way it was produced makes the viewers feel like they are with her and shows a true glimpse of her life. The documentary brings fans through some of the most vulnerable moments of her life- pushing herself through her chronic pain, finishing her album, and performing at the Super Bowl halftime show. It is easy to critique her but after watching I believe that Gaga works for every inch of her success.
So, should you watch?
Overall, this film was a little unsatisfying for me but it did show a story about an artist who works hard while still dealing with everyday issues. If you’re looking for a tight documentary that has loads of information about the artist, this probably isn’t for you. But, if you’re trying to take a step into an extremely successful singer’s life, give it a watch.
