There are musicians whose every word that comes out in their songs comes directly from the heart, and Sara Bareilles is the very essence of what an inspirational musical talent should be. In the heartfelt documentary, Sara Bareilles: Good Grief, Sara assembles with some friends and colleagues to bring some healing, soothing music into the world.
Josh Alexander directs this documentary film with a keen sense of appreciation for Sara and everything she stands for as an artist. There are hopeful songs sprinkled throughout this film, which will give comfort to those who have experienced heartbreak, loss and uncertainty in their lives.
Perhaps, trying to conceive a child was one of Sara’s most difficult journeys, and she sings about her struggles. Through IVF, Sara found more sorrow and despair than was expected, and the music she creates over the course of the film is, surprisingly, more hopeful than sorrowful.
Butterfly Boucher is a co-star of this documentary, and Boucher and others collaborated with Sara for a little less than a week in order to enhance the creative process, and bring powerful music into the light.
Sara is seen in this movie wearing a Charlie Brown shirt. Charlie Brown is, of course, the popular star of the comic strip, Peanuts, who is known for his expression, “Good Grief.” There’s not much good to be found in grief, yet that saying from the popular comics helps shape the way Sara turns pain and loss into something good, hopeful and profound.
From the loss of a friend to cancer to her struggle with trying to bring life into the world, the way this film explores Sara’s struggles is likely to inspire viewers. Sara’s vulnerability and her ability to allow those around her to help heal her emotional wounds makes for a moving journey.
Let’s not forget the songs that are showcased in the movie as they are the driving force of the film. “Love Story,“ “Ladies in a Line,“ and “Just a Kid“ speak volumes about the human experience through all its ups and downs, and these tunes help define the way Sara copes with her losses and the hits that life occasionally (and unfairly) deals out.
All the co-stars in Sara Bareilles: Good Grief bring humor and/or sincerity to the table in this documentary. Misty Boyce is especially vulnerable, and finds herself questioning her life at one point in the movie. People such as Misty in this movie find Sara’s coping mechanisms helpful to keep up with the unpredictability of the rhythm of life.
What makes Sara such a unique and wonderful talent is her ability to keep moving forward in times of despair. What could get other people down into a hole of depression doesn’t necessarily impact Sara in a wholly negative way.
Sara finds hope in loss, and thus gets up and keeps singing in order to move forward as she hopes the next thing life has to offer her is a more positive experience.
Heartbreak has definitely affected Sara, and she is more than up to the task of dealing with the blows. It can be incredibly painful at times, and this film shows Sara at her most vulnerable, and at what could be considered some of her lowest points in life.
Sara Bareilles: Good Grief is an affecting film, but it doesn’t always allow the viewer to understand every aspect of her songs. There is the basic overview that the movie provides for each song, and then the audience is left to listen to and interpret what Sara has taken from her experiences.
What is left at the end of each song is a learned lesson. Life demands strength and determination, and those two words help define the ambitions of the artist that is Sara Bareilles.
This documentary could be seen as slight by more demanding moviegoers, but it is very affecting, especially for fans of Sara. If you appreciate her music, seeing where the pain comes from, and the healing that follows, makes for a very enjoyable hour and a half.
Sara Bareilles: Good Grief is essentially a glimpse at a few days of Sara making great music with friends and colleagues. Hope comes from unexpected places, and this movie demonstrates the human need to heal after tragedy.
Sara is one of our most influential musical artists, and this film is a truly reflective example of the power of her work.
Sara Bareilles: Good Grief is available to stream on demand on Kinema.com.
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Thomas Duffy
Thomas Duffy is a Critics Choice member who has written film reviews for most of his life, starting at age 11 when he crafted his first full length movie critique on the film, "Roxanne," a Cyrano story featuring Steve Martin. As a result of that review and other movie obsessive writing, Thomas was awarded a creative writing award in sixth grade. Thomas is the proud author of nine books, including two highly acclaimed novels, "To Never Know" and "Social Work." Thomas can be found on X (formerly known as Twitter) or at a New York City movie theater watching the latest hit or independent movie. You can also run into him at Tribeca or at the New York Film Festival.