Are We Good?: Could Be Better

When we grieve, we find ourselves in some of our most vulnerable moments. Despite it being an inescapable facet of our lives, we still somehow feel as though no one could relate to us in those dark times. Now imagine feeling like that, your grief and loss simmering below the surface, while trying to write jokes about it and discussing it with strangers on podcasts and social media. On top of all that, you’ve got a camera in your face the entire day, for years. This is the emotional gist of Steven Feinartz’s new documentary, Are We Good?. Packed with touching, heavy moments, it’s also peppered with the kind of dark and cynical humor you’d expect from its subject, Marc Maron.

A Sudden Loss, A Lengthy Recovery

For decades, Marc Maron has been a stalwart figure in the American comedy scene. From his countless appearances on late night shows, his own radio programs and prolific podcast, to his comedy albums, specials, and his scripted work in TV and film, it’s difficult to be a fan of comedy and not at least recognize his name or face. Throughout his career, he’s never shied away from discussing his personal life, including his relationships and struggles with addiction. His distinct demeanor of cynical, candid vulnerability comes through in this new documentary, partly focusing on the breadth of his career but mostly chronicling Maron’s life following the sudden loss of his partner, filmmaker Lynn Shelton, to acute myeloid leukemia in May 2020.

We’re treated to footage of Maron going about his days, sometimes recording an episode of his WTF podcast, or grumbling at his cats for playing on the stairs. He’s interviewed by Feinartz, who also spoke with figures of the comedy world such as David Cross, Michaela Watkins, and Nate Bargatze among others. We also get clips from WTF as he discusses grief with guests on the show, archival standup footage, photos of himself with friends and family over the years, including Shelton of course, as well as social media posts and livestreams. In addition, Maron spends some time with his father, who’s dealing with dementia, something that he’s also discussed in his comedy.

A Decent Documentary

Despite his openness in his material and overall public image, I never took Marc Maron for a guy that would be up for a camera crew following him around. His brusque, black-cat energy is something I related to, which drew me to him as a performer, and seeing him in this documentary confirmed my feelings. Feinartz has worked with Maron before, having directed two of his specials, but their dynamic here is more intimate, and it’s not always something the comic seems comfortable with. On-camera, he doesn’t shy away from any topics or questions, but he will crack a joke at any given opportunity, which isn’t surprising for anyone who has used dark humor to work through tough times. There are scenes, though, such as backstage waiting to go on or when he’s at the record store, that he seems to be less than thrilled that the documentary is still going. To me, that’s understandable; being followed over a handful of years, especially when the focus becomes the loss of your partner, would take a toll on anyone. He’s never outright rude or dismissive, but there’s a reservation that can be felt which leaves me to wonder if perhaps merely interviewing Maron in addition to the archival footage would have been more comfortable for him.

From a technical perspective, Feinartz has done well with the material at hand. There’s a balance of comedy and tragedy that works without being too grim or lighthearted at any given moment. Even in moments of sadness, we find some kind of levity that makes it easier to accompany Maron on his journey. Marc Maron has never really been known for pulling punches, and we see that here in every interaction. Beneath the footage, there’s a rock soundtrack from bands such as Dinosaur Jr. and the like, that is perfectly fitting for Maron’s taste and personality.

Are We Good?: Yeah, We’re Alright.

The film feels as though it perhaps began as a documentary about Maron’s life in general, then pivoted to focusing on his loss and process following that. If that were the case, perhaps he got less comfortable with the idea as it progressed past the initial scope or agreement of topics. Of course, I can’t be sure. Nonetheless, Are We Good? is very touching and funny, and is an interesting insight into one of the darkest times in one of my favorite comedian’s life. Fans of Maron will get the most out of this, even if they may be left wanting a more in-depth retrospective of his life and career. He’s still going though, so that may be further down the line.

Are We Good? was released in theaters Friday, October 3rd.