I Will Survive: The Gloria Gaynor Story Review and Plot Summary

The Lifetime musical biographical film ‘I Will Survive: The Gloria Gaynor Story’ takes the audience on a trip through the life of the titular disco singer. In the ’60s, Gloria Gaynor, a talented singer from humble beginnings, relentlessly pursues her music career. Eventually, she finds a big break when one of her songs takes her to impossible heights, cementing her position in the growing disco scene. Around the same time, her paths also cross with the charming Linwood Simon, who inevitably ends up becoming her manager as their relationship progresses. However, this ends up leading to dangerous paths as Gloria enters a dark chapter of her life that she must fight her way out of. SPOILERS AHEAD!

I Will Survive: The Gloria Gaynor Story Tells the Moving Story of the Legendary Musician

Under Alicia K. Harris’ direction, ‘I Will Survive: The Gloria Gaynor Story’ finds a compelling voice for the cinematic telling of the namesake musician’s story. The narrative picks up from her Newark days when she performs more as a source of livelihood than as a pure artistic pursuit. As such, from the get-go, the story sets up the roots of Gloria’s character—as a Christian young artist who holds her family close. Consequently, the perpetual rise to fame that follows feels earnest and earned as the disco grooves of the era take over her life. By the time Linwood Simon—the perceived love interest turned antagonist—enters the narrative, the audience gets to see an authentic and soulful part of Gloria. Eventually, in the darker times that follow, it occupies a sharp contrast that accentuates the gravity of her situation.

As a result, the film champions an unnervingly realistic portrayal of what manipulation and masked abuse can look like in a toxic and controlling relationship. Furthermore, it also sheds a focused light on the unique power imbalance that even the most famed stars are vulnerable to. The film similarly retrains this level of attention to showcasing Gloria’s path to freedom as she takes back control over her life. During this phase, one may find the tale lacking in streamlined cohesion since the musician’s sharp turn to religion remains understated on account of scarce backstory. Thus, the one gripe that may remain with the film by the end becomes the unexplored nature of Gloria’s earliest beginnings. Still, as it stands, Gloria’s on-screen journey offers a riveting and genuine account of stardom and the role it plays in the real-life musician’s life.

I Will Survive: The Gloria Gaynor Story Plot Summary

Gloria begins her story as a singer who lives with her religious mother, Queenie Mae Proctor, and younger sister, Irma, while working as a singer in clubs. Although she doesn’t have the glitziest dresses for her performances, she has her mother’s eternal love and support—represented through the gold cross necklace she passes down to her oldest daughter. Gloria holds onto this same necklace when Queenie Mae passes away, leaving the singer to look out for her family. Fortunately, luck strikes when a music manager, Michael, approaches her after work and offers a partnership between them. With him in her corner, Gloria starts putting out shows with the band City Life. Eventually, the manager also gets her a great record deal that promises a great future.

Consequently, years down the line from her beginning in clubs, Gloria becomes a recording artist with a number one song on the charts, who is constantly on the road with her band. Soon enough, she meets Linwood Simon, the brother of her backup singers, who instantly catches her eye. As the two get to know each other better, they fall hard and fast into a relationship, and Linwood becomes a vital part of the singer’s life. For the same reason, when he showcases distrust over Michael as Gloria’s manager, she heeds his warning and instead hands over the reins to him. However, the singer faces a life-altering problem soon after. During one of her performances, she takes a fall that ends up severely injuring her spine.

Even so, after a few weeks of rest and physiotherapy, Gloria prepares to get back out there as Linnwood brings a new project to her. He wants her to record new music, even though the song doesn’t resonate with her. Eventually, as she relents, she decides to pick up another song for Side-B. Nonetheless, as fate would have it, the second song, “I Will Survive,” ends up becoming a massive, career-defining hit. In the wake of her superstardom, Linnwood proposes—over an early morning phone call—and the two end up getting married. Yet, her husband’s actions begin to take a nefarious turn. As disco starts to simmer down in popularity in the States, he comes up with the idea to tour overseas in London, where the fanbase for the genre is still going strong.

Additionally, Linwood takes the liberty to fire Gloria’s band without her consultation, forcing her to perform on a click track. Moreover, he plans back-to-back shows for her, overworking her to the ground. Whenever she tries to express her stress and exhaustion, he simply puts on an overtly supportive persona, insisting she can do anything she puts her mind to. As a result, her own wishes of returning to America to be with her friends and family—and starting her own family—remain unfulfilled. Soon, after an argument, he returns to America without any warning, leaving Gloria to deal with her tense schedule alone. During this time, her assistant Stephanie Gold—an addition to her team that Linnwood had been less than thrilled about—becomes her rock.

Inevitably, Gloria’s stress levels and overworked state results in serious health issues as her body shuts down. On top of dealing with these new spells, she also finds out about her husband’s potential infidelity after overhearing women on calls to his phone. As such, she realizes that her marriage is well and truly done, especially after discovering that his frequent house parties are full of models and cocaine. One night, she receives a signal from God, who encourages her to return to her roots and write a song in honor of her mother and her religion. Soon after, she finds the courage to confront Linnwood about his actions, but he continues manipulating the truth. Yet, he shows his true colors when another dizzying spell takes over his wife, and he refuses to drive her to the hospital, claiming she was having a tantrum.

Thus, in the aftermath of her hospital visit, Gloria finally asks Linwood for a divorce. Over the next few months, the two handle their divorce proceedings, and the singer finally emerges a free woman. She also asks Stephanie—a consistent and reliable supporter by her side—to be her new manager. As such, the woman is there for Gloria when her sister, Irma, tragically passes away. In light of these overwhelming life changes, the singer decides to take a different route with her music and records a gospel album. Still, before she can embark on this new journey, she must undergo surgery for her back. Even though the road ahead is tough, Gloria emerges victorious once again as she shines in the new genre, collecting accolades and acclaim.