'The One About Matthew Perry' Docuseries Explores Star's Life and Struggles on Netflix
The three-part series, directed by Mary Robertson, delves into the actor's childhood, rise to fame, addiction, and untimely death.
Netflix has released a new three-part docuseries, "The One About Matthew Perry," examining the life of the "Friends" star, his struggles with addiction, and his accidental overdose death in 2023 at the age of 54.
Directed by Mary Robertson, the series draws on interviews with Perry's close friends, including David Pressman and Roger Castillo, and family members like his sister, Mia Perry Bowick. The first episode traces Perry's childhood, marked by time spent in both Canada and Los Angeles, and his early career aspirations.
Path to Stardom and Addiction
The docuseries highlights Perry's casting as Chandler Bing on the NBC hit "Friends," a role he felt uniquely suited for. The show's explosive success following its first season brought Perry the fame he desired, but it also coincided with escalating personal struggles. A jet ski accident during the filming of his first movie, "Fools Rush In," led to an opioid addiction, with his appearance at the film's premiere signaling his declining health.
A Look at the Documentary's Scope
"The One About Matthew Perry" aims to provide viewers with insights into Perry's inner life. However, the review notes that the series feels incomplete in its roster of interviewees. While friends and family offer personal accounts, the series notably lacks contributions from Perry's parents, his stepparents, "Friends" creators Marta Kauffman and David Crane, and his co-stars from the iconic sitcom. The only actor featured is Kevin Pollak, whose podcast interview with Perry is extensively utilized.
This limited participation raises questions about whether the docuseries offers a significantly different narrative from what has been publicly known for years, or from Perry's own account in his memoir published shortly before his death.
The series concludes with a reflection on Perry's ambition for fame, recalling a moment where he felt his wish was granted, perhaps at a significant cost. Despite its perceived shortcomings in comprehensiveness, "The One About Matthew Perry" is recommended for fans seeking to revisit Perry's comedic performances and moments of self-reflection amidst his documented challenges.