An Interview With ‘Charles Grodin: Rebel With A Cause’ Director James L. Freedman

Whether he was being pursued by Robert DeNiro in Midnight Run or appearing on a talk show, Charles Grodin could always be counted on to be funny. As James L. Freedman‘s documentary Charles Grodin: Rebel with a Cause is going to show, though, he also cared a lot about social justice. Ahead of the film’s TV premiere on TCM, here’s what Freedman had to share about the comic actor and the parts of his career that might not be as widely known:

Rachel Bellwoar: You’ve previously directed documentaries on Universal Pictures founder Carl Laemmle and athlete Marty Glickman, who was benched during the 1936 Berlin Olympics. How do you choose your subjects and has that changed with having two completed documentaries under your belt?

James L. Freedman: I like to find subjects who were not only incredibly accomplished in their careers, but who also tried to make the world a better place. It’s very gratifying to share stories about real heroes whom the public may not know much about. Plus, this film was particularly fun to make because Charles Grodin could be so damn hilarious.

Bellwoar: Do you feel your approach to each documentary has been the same or have they been completely different experiences?

Freedman: My approach is always the same: research the subject thoroughly until I find the theme or spine of the story. Once I find that, each film becomes completely different and presents its own unique, exciting challenges.

Bellwoar: Is there a style of documentary that inspires you the most or that you try to emulate with your own work?

Freedman:  I like to think of my films as cinematic novels.

Bellwoar: The first film I saw Charles Grodin in was Midnight Run and I remember how much his performance stole the film for me. Do you have a first Charles Grodin film memory?

Freedman: My first film memory of Charles Grodin was going to see The Heartbreak Kid in 1972. Directed by the great Elaine May, it is one of the most uncompromising comedies ever made, and Chuck’s performance allows you to understand and laugh at what would otherwise be a completely unsympathetic character.

I later had the privilege of seeing him on Broadway with Ellen Burstyn in Same Time, Next Year, which remains one of the greatest evenings I’ve ever spent in the theater.

Bellwoar: At time of writing the Wikipedia page for Charles Grodin doesn’t mention his activism work which was clearly important to him from the start, if an even greater focus of his later years. When did you first become aware of his work towards helping wrongly convicted people? 

Freedman: I have always been a big fan of Charles Grodin. When I came across an article online about his social justice work, it motivated me to do a deep dive into his life. The more I learned, the more fascinated I became by this funny, complex humanitarian.

Bellwoar: The trailer teases some of the interview subjects you were able to sit down with, including Robert DeNiro and Ellen Burstyn. Are there any stories you’re particularly excited for fans to hear?

Freedman: It was a thrill to interview giants in their fields, including Robert DeNiro, Steve Martin, Martin Short, Elaine May, Carol Burnett, Ellen Burstyn, and all the other people who were gracious enough to participate. What they all had in common was their love for Chuck (quirks and all) and a deep appreciation of his immense talent.

Also, there were so many great stories, but one that people may not know about was when Charles Grodin directed Simon and Garfunkel’s first television special in 1969. However, to learn more about that story, your readers will have to watch TCM on Friday, 4th September at 8pm ET. How’s that for a shameless plug?!

Bellwoar: Rebel with a Cause is airing as part of TCM’S “Films on Film” program. Were you involved in choosing the lineup of Charles Grodin films that will be airing after the documentary, and if you could add a fifth film, which would you choose?

Freedman: I am thrilled TCM chose my film to kick off their Films on Film series. I wasn’t involved in choosing the films that air after the documentary. If I could add another film, it would be The Heartbreak Kid, but they were unable to include it because of a rights issue.

That being the case, Charles Grodin’s performance in Heaven Can Wait is as funny as it gets.

Bellwoar: How quickly did you land on the title Charles Grodin: Rebel with a Cause and were there any other contenders?

Freedman: The title, Charles Grodin: Rebel with a Cause, came to me pretty early in the process. I ran it by some friends, and they all liked it. It felt like it captured Chuck’s independent spirit, his willingness to challenge authority, and the fact that there was always a heartfelt purpose behind his rebelliousness.

Bellwoar: Thanks for agreeing to this interview, James!

Charles Grodin: Rebel with a Cause makes its TV premiere September 4th at 8pm ET on TCM, followed by airings of Midnight Run, 11 Harrowhouse (which Grodin wrote the adapted screenplay for as well as starred in), Seems Like Old Times (with Chevy Chase and Goldie Hawn), and The Woman in Red (starring and directed by Gene Wilder).