Amy Berg's arresting documentary, 'It's Never Over, Jeff Buckley,' offers a sympathetic and urgent exploration of the life and tragic death of the 1990s singer-songwriter Jeff Buckley. The film delves deeply into his early years, untimely demise, and the immense pressures of the music industry that shaped his brief career.
The Tragic Journey of a Musical Prodigy
Jeff Buckley, an exquisitely beautiful and prodigiously talented artist, was drawn to the music business like a moth to a flame. However, this world demanded endless touring and a multi-album commitment after he had already poured his soul into his debut album, 'Grace.' While 'Grace' was a critical success among hipsters, its commercial underperformance in the United States led executives to push him relentlessly for a follow-up to recoup their investment.
Personal Struggles and Industry Pressures
The documentary reveals how Buckley's encounters with his heroes, such as Paul McCartney and Robert Plant, whose extravagant praise overwhelmed his highly strung nature. Berg's film also details his abandonment as an infant by his father, Tim Buckley, a singer who died of a heroin overdose in his late twenties. Tragically, Jeff met a similar fate, drowning accidentally in Wolf River Harbor, Memphis, Tennessee, in 1997 at the age of 30.
Family and Artistic Influences
His mother, Mary Guibert, who serves as the film's executive producer, was a central figure in his life. It was singing at his father's memorial service that astonished the congregation and kickstarted Jeff's career. He was a superb vocalist with a range and delicacy inspired by Nina Simone and Judy Garland. The press often treated him as a cover version of his father, and his early reliance on covers like Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah' hindered the development of his original material.
Intimate Insights from Loved Ones
Berg extensively interviews Guibert and two of Buckley's girlfriends, Rebecca Moore and Joan Wasser, providing intimate perspectives on his life. The film utilizes Jeff's answering machine messages and archive footage from the 1990s, including moody black-and-white MTV clips, to tell this very sad story with both sympathy and urgency.
'It's Never Over, Jeff Buckley' is set to be released in UK and Irish cinemas from 13 February, offering audiences a poignant look at a life cut tragically short.
