It's Never Over, Jeff Buckley: A Transcendent Portrait of Musical Genius
Amy Berg's long-awaited documentary about Jeff Buckley achieves something remarkable: it makes you fall in love with an artist all over again while breaking your heart for what we lost. Fifteen years in the making, Berg's passionate tribute to the ethereal singer-songwriter who drowned in Memphis at age 30 transcends typical biographical documentary structure to become something approaching the transcendent nature of Buckley's own music.
Berg, who personally witnessed Buckley perform during her days as a punk rock booking agent, brings both scholarly rigor and deep emotional investment to her subject. The film chronicles Buckley's extraordinary but brief journey from his reluctant performance at his father Tim Buckley's 1991 tribute concert to his tragic death in the Wolf River six years later. What emerges is a portrait of an artist whose four-octave vocal range was matched only by his spiritual intensity and crippling self-doubt.
The documentary's greatest strength lies in its intimate access to Buckley's inner world. Mary Guibert, Jeff's mother and executive producer, provides never-before-heard voicemails that create an almost unbearable sense of intimacy. Rebecca Moore, the artist who inspired much of Grace, offers insights into Buckley's creative process, while musicians like Ben Harper and Aimee Mann contextualize his revolutionary impact on contemporary music.
Berg's multimedia approach seamlessly integrates archival footage, animated sequences, and personal artifacts to create a visual representation of Buckley's psyche. The psychedelic animations feel earned rather than gimmicky, particularly when visualizing the artist's complex relationship with his absent father. Most powerfully, the film uses Buckley's songs thematically rather than chronologically, allowing his lyrics to comment on his life experiences in ways that feel genuinely revelatory.
The technical presentation is flawless, with the Dolby Atmos theatrical version showcasing why Buckley's voice was described as "Nina Simone crossed with Robert Plant crossed with a heavenly spirit." Brian A. Kates and Stacy Goldate's editing creates a seamless flow between past and present, while the sound design emphasizes the otherworldly quality of Buckley's performances.
What makes Berg's documentary essential viewing is its refusal to mythologize its subject. Instead, it presents Buckley as a deeply human figure struggling with abandonment, imposter syndrome, and the weight of extraordinary talent. The film acknowledges his struggles with relationships and self-sabotage while never diminishing his artistic achievements.
The documentary's cultural timing feels particularly relevant, with Buckley's "Lover, You Should've Come Over" currently experiencing a TikTok renaissance. Berg's film serves as both introduction for newcomers and deeper exploration for existing fans, demonstrating why artists from Radiohead to David Bowie considered Buckley essential.
It's Never Over, Jeff Buckley succeeds as both loving tribute and serious artistic statement, proving that the most effective documentaries about artists channel their subject's creative spirit rather than merely chronicling their accomplishments. Berg has created an incandescent film that honors Buckley's memory while ensuring his music continues to find new audiences.