The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling

Directed by Judd Apatow, The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling explores the life and career of noted comedian and iconic sitcom star Garry Shandling – with the exhaustive documentary covering everything from his tragic childhood to his early days in standup to his health battles later in life. Filmmaker Apatow does a superb job of immediately drawing the viewer into the deliberately-paced yet always-absorbing proceedings, and it’s clear, surprisingly enough, that the movie manages to enthrall even through interludes that should, by all rights, come off as tedious and perfunctory – with this especially true of the portion devoted to Shandling’s adolescence and relationship with his parents. (There’s a compelling, heartbreaking vibe to these scenes that proves impossible to resist, for sure.) And although there are perhaps a handful of segments that feel just a little on the long side, which isn’t surprising, certainly, given the 259 minute running time, The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling is, for the most part, an engrossing piece of work that effectively balances the personal and professional sides of Shandling’s existence – as Apatow, in terms of the latter, devotes time to the comedian’s biggest successes, including The Larry Sanders Show, and obvious low points (eg his lawsuit against former manager). There’s little doubt, ultimately, that the picture’s transformation from very good to essential is triggered by an unexpectedly powerful final hour, with the impact of that poignant and completely affecting stretch confirming and cementing The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling‘s place as a frequently captivating portrait of a far more interesting and fascinating figure than one might’ve initially anticipated.

**** out of ****