I’m “George Lucas”: A Connor Ratliff Story is a bit of a misleading title, not only because Ratliff is, indeed, not the filmmaker behind one of the most popular media franchises of all time, but also because it’s more about his creation than him. Yet this dive into one of the most unique cult favorites of the New York comedy scene will win audiences over with its blend of humor and heart.
I’m “George Lucas” takes a behind-the-scenes look at “The George Lucas Talk Show,” an underground comedy stage show created by comedian Connor Ratliff, in which Ratliff plays a version of filmmaker George Lucas. It’s a fascinating glimpse into fame — even on a cult level — as Ratliff deals with the growth of his creation and wonders if he can (or even wants to) continue.
In addition to extensive behind-the-scenes footage of Ratliff and co. working on “The George Lucas Talk Show,” the documentary also features interviews with several celebrity fans of the show, such as Bobby Moynihan, Zach Cherry, and more. These people mostly serve the purpose of tooting Ratliff’s horn, but they do lend a greater air of legitimacy to the documentary.
I’m “George Lucas”: A Connor Ratliff Story is a fun, occasionally egotistical documentary
I’m “George Lucas” also has the benefit of access to a large library of footage from “The George Lucas Talk Show.” Many documentaries about stage shows have to deal with clearing the rights to the material and, as such, only feature brief snippets. Because of the original, parody-based nature of “The George Lucas Talk Show,” it feels like Jacobi had far fewer limitations to deal with in this regard.
Of course, as one would expect from a documentary about a comedian, there is plenty of humor to be found in I’m “George Lucas”: A Connor Ratliff Story. However, what really stands out about Jacobi’s documentary is its heart. Even if they are unfamiliar with “The George Lucas Talk Show,” audiences will walk away with a tremendous admiration of Ratliff and his steadfast commitment to this project he has created and has become so beloved.
At times, A Connor Ratliff Story does feel a bit overly self-congratulatory. For example, the portions talking about Ratliff’s cohost, Griffin Newman (who plays a caricature of the Star Wars character Watto) don’t quite give credit where it’s due. Often, it feels like a sort of “humble brag,” but thankfully, Ratliff generally brings back the authenticity by asking introspective questions of himself.
The one real disappointment of I’m “George Lucas” is that it does not spend more time exploring the show’s online era, spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is where the show’s cult following exploded, and while it’s understandable why Jacobi would want to focus more on Ratliff as an underdog — it’s frankly more cinematic — glossing over the later era feels like it doesn’t give viewers what they want.
I’m “George Lucas”: A Connor Ratliff Story does occasionally fall into the trap of simply showering praise on its subject. However, it’s also a genuinely funny documentary, and when it allows its subject to be vulnerable about his anxieties about working in show business, it’s also extremely endearing. This film will be a treat for fans of the comedian and his creation, but it may also win him some new disciples.
I’m “George Lucas”: A Connor Ratliff Story screened at the 2024 Slamdance Film Festival, which ran January 19-25 in-person in Park City, UT and online from January 22-28.
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