Review: Gaga: Five Foot Two

Lady Gaga resonates energy into Gaga: Five Foot Two, as we see and absorb a glimpse of the superstar’s backstage life. 

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​In the latest Netflix original documentary, Gaga: Five Foot Two, Lady Gaga shares with us a vulnerable look of her life during one of the most pivotal periods in her career yet. The doc is directed by filmmaker Chris Moukarbel (Banksy Does New York and Me at the Zoo) and is shot in the style of cinema verité, giving viewers unfiltered, behind-the-scenes access to Gaga and her backstage life. We get to spend time with her close friends and family members, as she releases her 2016 album Joanne. Gaga also deals with personal struggles throughout the film and opens up about her current and past wounds. Moukarbel's compelling portrait captures Lady Gaga's life over an eight-month period.

On top of Gaga’s professional career triumphs, viewers also see her cope with the intense emotional, physical and chronic pain caused by the onset of fibromyalgia. These moments of pain will cause the viewers to feel an enormous amount of heartache for our beloved pop star. Other moments in the doc reflect more ordinary aspects of her life, whether it's attending a family christening, visiting her grandmother or cooking and playing with her dogs at home. This helps open the door for a better understanding of normal life off the stage lights. The doc follows Gaga from the release of her fifth studio album, Joanne, to her glorious and critically lauded Super Bowl LI halftime performance.

​While, there are some inconsistencies in the large portions of performance footage, nevertheless, Gaga: Five Foot Two succeeds in sending out its heartfelt message and better understanding of Gaga herself. Gaga delivers a humane performance, as she sheds light to her struggles in life but doesn't allow them to overcome her. She's on top of the world. In the end, Lady Gaga is still the high-wire queen of pop. “Don't you ever let a soul in the world tell you that you can't be exactly who you are.” – Gaga 

Gaga: Five Foot Two is Not Rated (NR).