Let Netflix's The One About Matthew Perry wreck you
The broad outlines of Netflix's The One About Matthew Perry have been told before, but the interviews with Perry's friends, family, and collaborators make it all the more devastating.
Netflix's new documentary, "The One About Matthew Perry," is a thought-provoking exploration of the life of the beloved Friends star. Despite being marketed as a film centered around Perry's career, the three-hour documentary primarily focuses on the darker side of fame, celebrity culture, and substance abuse. Director Mary Robertson paints a poignant portrait of the actor's addiction and the toll it took on his personal and professional life.
Rather than featuring interviews with Perry's co-stars, the doc draws on the recollections of people closest to him, including his sister Mia Perry Boswick, industry peers, and friends. This approach allows for a more intimate and sincere look at Perry as a person, rather than a Hollywood bigwig. The documentary touches on the events that led to Perry's decline, such as a jet ski accident that resulted in a painkiller prescription, multiple rehab stays during Friends production, and a near-fatal 2018 coma.
Perry's half-sister Mia Boswick, who has emerged as a voice for her late brother, provides a powerful and emotional account of their relationship. Born when Perry was 14, their bond was strong despite their age gap. Boswick, now a psychotherapist, offers insight into Perry's desperation to overcome his childhood trauma and the challenges he faced in his quest for sobriety.
While the film does not reveal any new information about Perry's alcohol and drug use that wasn't previously documented in his 2022 memoir, Friends, Lovers, and The Big Terrible Thing, it does present his story in his own words. The documentary also provides a macroscopic look at addiction as a chronic disease, without resorting to salacious or exploitative tactics. It avoids sensationalism, instead focusing on the genuine struggles Perry faced and the support he received from those around him.
"The One About Matthew Perry" is a must-see for any fan of the Friends cast or anyone interested in the complexities of celebrity life and the battle against addiction. Despite the pain of revisiting Perry's vulnerabilities, the documentary ultimately honors his life and legacy, leaving viewers with a profound sense of empathy and understanding.
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