Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Loving portrayal of actor with mature themes and language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Marty, Life is Short
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Comedian and actor Martin Short is the subject of the documentary MARTY, LIFE IS SHORT. Combining interviews with Short and a number of friends, colleagues, and relatives, together with photographs and home video footage from decades of Short's family life, the film compiles a definitive telling of Short's life and long career.
Is It Any Good?
If you didn't already love Martin Short, you're going to after this loving profile, directed by longtime friend Lawrence Kasdan. Marty, Life is Short offers a close-up view of the actor's joy-infused and celebrity-filled life. Marty has loved and been loved by a big, happy family and a wide group of lifelong friends (the fact that those friends include figures like Eugene Levy, Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg and so on doesn't diminish their genuine mutual affection).
It's also a story about the contemporary history of comedy, particularly the troupe that came out of Canada's Second City and '70s and '80s-era Saturday Night Live, with Short as a through-line. His life mottos could serve anyone well—ideas like tragedy happens, and it's up to each person how we choose to handle it, or not to live with regrets. He's said to "maintain the merry theme of life," and the home videos and clips certainly show a lot of merriness. Marty is "good at life," a friend concludes. What a lovely way to be remembered, especially while still living that good life.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Martin Short's life attitude, as depicted in Marty, Life is Short. How would you describe it? How do you think his positivity and humor have served him well in life?
Were you surprised by anything you learned about Short in this film? Explain.
Short has had a surprisingly long career, with many highs and lows. What other comedians or actors would you compare him with, and why? How do you think his career would be different if he were just starting out today?
Do you think the fact that the film is admittedly made by one of the subject's close friends might have resulted in a more flattering portrayal?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : May 12, 2026
- Cast : Martin Short , Steve Martin , Tom Hanks
- Director : Lawrence Kasdan
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Documentary
- Topics : Arts , Family Stories ( Adoptees and Foster Kids , Dads , Moms , Siblings ) , Friendship , History
- Character Strengths : Perseverance
- Run time : 100 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : May 12, 2026
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