It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley never lets us forget that the man, the myth, and the subject of this documentary, Jeff Buckley, was an unknowable enigma. The feature-length exploration of his too-short life ultimately fails to understand him, despite its semi-genuine attempts. Buckley’s life and legacy cut a tragic figure, and while It’s Never Over tries to combat the forces that would let Buckley’s death overshadow his life, it’s almost impossible not to focus on the tragedy.

Largely revolving around the release of his album and the events of his death, It’s Never Over doesn’t overcome the pitfalls of its genre. It’s tough to craft a music documentary without coming off as disingenuous, especially when mining the life of a person as private as Buckley. Directed by Amy Berg, It’s Never Over mirrors the visual style and language that were part of Buckley’s persona, and takes a stab at mining the magic of the New York ’90s music scene to pique our interest.

Grace was released in 1994, and it’s hard to undervalue the impact that Buckley’s single studio album has had on songwriting in the years that have followed. If It’s Never Over achieves anything, it’s reminding us that Buckley was a force who won’t be forgotten. However, the people who make up the doc’s target audience aren’t the people who would overlook the power that Buckley’s music still holds today.

It’s Never Over Tries To Capture The Uncapturable, Only Making Buckley Feel More Distant

In Trying To Understand The Mysterious Musical Figure, The Documentary Further Mythologizes Him

The women in Buckley’s life take center stage, with his mother, Mary Guibert, and romantic partners Rebecca Moore and Joan Wᴀsser, giving intimate interviews that shine a light on how they felt about Buckley, if not how he felt about anything. The man who attempted to keep fame at arm’s length his whole life is no easier to capture today. This is a constant struggle, especially since Buckley came up in the age of MTV. For most fans, everything you want to know is already out there, but the film attempts to keep things fresh and potent.

Unfolding largely chronologically and taking an interest in the lasting effects that Buckley’s parents’ absence and presence had on his life and his music, It’s Never Over meanders along, expressing interest in a few of Buckley’s big moments. Highlights include his performance at a tribute concert for his late father, getting his record deal, and the many years he spent touring. While there’s some great archival footage and interviews with Buckley, It’s Never Over fails to justify why we needed this project. Nearly 30 years after his death, we aren’t any closer to solving the mystery of this man, and we probably shouldn’t be.

One of the typically redeeming qualities of a music documentary is the soundtrack, and while Buckley’s music rings clearly throughout the project, it isn’t properly given its due. It’s a difficult genre, and one that comes into the world soaked with sadness and unfulfilled potential, as the narrative of these stories is far too familiar. We turn on these movies to watch the famous and unattainable fall from grace, and it’s an ugly practice. Buckley might not have succumbed to substance abuse, but the documentary more than implies that fame was more than a precipitating factor in his death.

It’s an interesting line to walk, as the viewer is almost indicted as being part of the problem and the machine that forces these stars to burn out. However, we’re simultaneously invited into the most personal parts of his life that he would never want exposed, practically free of charge. Much like Buckley’s life, the documentary is an unfinished sentence, or a musical phrase that never quite reaches its peak. The film isn’t completely devoid of meaning or emotion, but even with all the archival footage, it feels as if it’s barely scratching the surface.

It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley Can’t Shake Its Exploitative Tinge

Though Intended As A Tribute, The Documentary Struggles To Feel Genuine

Maybe it’s still too soon, and maybe it always will be, but It’s Never Over just makes me wish we could leave Jeff Buckley alone. There will always be an edge to projects like this that make them feel exploitative. Perhaps intended as a tribute to a man who spent his life misunderstood, It’s Never Over only further confuses his figure and fame in death. We can never and will never know what he really thought about things, and it’s an exercise in futility to try.

From what can be gleaned about Buckley from this sanitized take on a human life, he wouldn’t want his past to be dredged up like this for entertainment. For fans of the artist, there’s no real reason not to watch It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley, as he’s a compelling icon to spend time with, and the film says a lot about us and the way we consume his music and engage with his legacy. The documentary doesn’t know who Jeff Buckley was. However, it might expose what we are desperate to get from him, long past the time he has anything left to give.