I like Lady Gaga, but I probably stopped listening to all her music obsessively around ARTPOP or her collaboration with Tony Bennett so I’ve missed Joanne entirely. When I was younger, I needed music like air, but now I feel less compelled to stay current. I still like her showmanship and appreciate what she chose to do to become a household name. Within a day of Netflix releasing Gaga: Five Foot Two, I watched it. If I have to choose to live in a world with Mother! or this documentary, I’d choose this documentary every time.
Gaga: Five Foot Two starts provocatively with the titular star being disappointed that Madonna, a fellow Italian New Yorker, did not confront her in person for allegations that Gaga’s Born This Way is strikingly similar to Madonna’s Express Yourself. Think about it. Gaga is doing the same exact thing, (and she is smart enough to know it). I saw Madonna: Truth or Dare once, but if you are a Madonna expert, I suspect that you would be better equipped to spot how Gaga’s stab at cinema verite purposely pays homage (wink) to Madonna’s behind the scenes look. Yes, I’m copying and what are you going to do about it?
Gaga: Five Foot Two is a year in the life, but I am not such a fool to believe that a millisecond of footage was captured by surprise. I know people say that they forget that the cameras are even there, but no. We get a behind the scenes look at Gaga at home, with her family, getting medical treatment for fibromyalgia, on the set of American Horror Story, recording Joanne and preparing for the Super Bowl halftime show. She visits Walmart almost incognito (sure). Instead of a meat suit, Gaga has switched things up. The performance is about realness.
I enjoyed Gaga: Five Foot Two though I suffer no illusions that I’ve seen the real Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta (nor should I). If you’re a fan, it is a must see, but if you’re not, then definitely skip this documentary. It is also probably not an appropriate gateway movie to those unfamiliar with the international star since there are assumptions that you have a certain amount of knowledge about her past hits and romantic associations.