THE STORY – Follows a tribute to the comedy duo and a personal exploration by Ben Stiller into his family’s legacy.
THE CAST – Ben Stiller, Amy Stiller, Jerry Stiller, Anne Meara, Christine Taylor & Christopher Walken
THE TEAM – Ben Stiller (Director/Writer)
THE RUNNING TIME – 97 Minutes
When comedian Jerry Stiller passed away in 2020, five years after the loss of his wife Anne Meara, the world lost one of its most iconic comedic duos. Their creative partnership was as remarkable as their sixty-five-year marriage, making them staples of the New York comedy scene. Their legacy is almost impossible to capture in words, which may be why their son, famous actor and filmmaker Ben Stiller, chose to honor them through a documentary under his direction. With “Stiller and Meara: Nothing is Lost,” he crafts a moving tribute not only to the artists who inspired him to pursue comedy but also to the parents who shaped him into the man he is today, for better or for worse. The result is a film that serves as both a heartfelt memorial to a beloved duo and a profound exploration of grief and memory.
After a few clips of Jerry and Anne performing some of their classic routines, the film cuts to the present, where Ben and his sister Amy return to their parents’ longtime apartment to clear it out in preparation for selling it. It is a universally relatable moment, but one that becomes uniquely touching given Jerry’s lifelong obsession with documenting every detail of his family’s life. He saved everything: home videos, photo albums, audio recordings, and drawings. What unfolds is a highly personal journey through memory, as Ben and Amy relive their parents’ lives piece by piece before saying a final goodbye. “Stiller and Meara: Nothing is Lost” could have easily been a conventional celebrity documentary tracing the duo’s love story and creative partnership, but Stiller uses the project as a reflection on his own life, relationships, and identity. In that regard, it very much plays like a perfect companion piece to Chris Smith’s acclaimed Netflix documentary, “Sr.”
Not that Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara needed any help from Ben to showcase their chemistry. Within moments of the archival footage, it is clear how electric their connection was both on stage and off. Stiller explores how their real-life experiences shaped their comedy, how fame affected their family, and how career struggles tested their marriage. It is an unflinchingly honest portrait, enriched by the extensive personal material Jerry left behind. Editor Adam Kurnitz masterfully weaves together the past and present, balancing Ben’s loving retelling of his parents’ story with moments of discovery and self-reflection as he sorts through their archives. Along the way, Ben and Amy confront buried emotions, opening up to each other about things they have never discussed before. Ben also looks inward at himself and faces the long shadow cast by his parents’ success and the weight of trying to live up to it.
Many celebrity filmmakers would shy away from material this personal, but Stiller leans into it, turning the process into something tremendously therapeutic. That openness gives “Stiller and Meara: Nothing is Lost” a rare authenticity you rarely see from a celebrity of Stiller’s stature. Just as the film finds its emotional rhythm, Stiller brings in his own children and partner, Christine Taylor, reflecting on how his parents’ patterns shaped his own family life. Though emotional at times, the film is filled with laughter, which is only fitting considering who it is about. Jerry and Anne were effortlessly funny, even in their private moments. Watching these two comedic powerhouses, who loved each other so deeply, evolve into distinct artists on their own is both poignant and uplifting. The film devotes equal time and care to both parents, as Meara pursues serious acting and Jerry struggles with his own self-worth, which extends far beyond external validation.
By the end, “Stiller and Meara: Nothing is Lost” stands not only as Ben Stiller’s best film directorial work in years but also as a very personal keepsake for him and his family. With admiration, respect and honesty, this carefully crafted cinematic family album ensures his parents’ brilliance and love will never fade.
