It's Never Over, Jeff Buckley

The footage of Jeff Buckley performing and singing was absolute magic. Amy Berg handled many of the pratfalls of documenting a talented singer who died young with a deft hand, never letting the supporting cast and commentaries slide into idolatry. However, I can't help but think there was a LOT that was left unsaid, particularly from the women in his life. The two scenes that felt the rawest were the footage of him singing his own material for the first time in Sin-e (you really could have heard a pin drop), and when a journalist asked him where he saw himself in ten years. No one will ever know what went through his mind when he waded into the river, but I, for one, will always wonder what music he could have made if he had lived.

This "documentary" of images and clips with commentary was the biggest pile of nothing. I would say it's the worst piece of "cinema" I've seen in my life. This man has lived the same life as 30% of America besides his fame and yet, the director of this film tried to pose it as a sad life. Nothing about it was sad and all I have to say is, you will not like it, DO NOT WATCH IT.

This documentary had me in tears almost every time that Mary Guibert (Jeff Buckley's mom) was on the screen. I've always known that Buckley was one of the most singularly musically talented human beings to ever walk the earth, but watching this film brought his story, his pain, and his humanity to life for me in ways that I know will stick with me for a very long time. Thinking about what could have been is devastating, but the film, and his performances within it, are absolutely spellbinding.

Jeff wasn't ever looking to be a worshipped idol (but oh how I did worship him!) so footage of him sharing himself (outside of performances) is not abundant, however director Amy Berg and team expertly crafted this film with his art and writings, photos, sound, and color-as well as interviews and so much of his music-to enhance and expand on the spirit of who he was as a person, partner, son, friend, bandmate, performer, and it buoyed me along with out feeling lacking at all. I wept at the end of this film from just the sheer loss of this human spirit and talent.

I'm embarrassed to admit that Jeff Buckley's rise to fame, and tragic end completely escaped me when it happened in the '90s. So watching this movie was like opening a time capsule and finding the roughest, but most beautiful diamond in the world. Words simply cannot begin to describe the depth & breadth of his talent. This doc is worth seeing for that reason alone. But beyond that, his brilliant talent and tragic life story makes for an irresistible, compellingly narrative story. That's the second reason to see it. My hope is this film will allow new generations to discover him, and keep his memory and music alive.