THE STORY – Two poets, one incurable cancer diagnosis. Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley go on an unexpectedly funny and poignant journey through love, life, and mortality.
THE CAST – N/A
THE TEAM – Ryan White (Director/Writer)
THE RUNNING TIME – 104 Minutes
“Come See Me in the Good Light,” the incredible new documentary from director Ryan White, doesn’t have the most appealing premise. It’s a specific, perhaps nonexistent audience that would enthusiastically seek out a nonfiction film about a poet battling an incurable cancer diagnosis (the filmmaking team even joked about this at its Sundance premiere). But the film is so much more than its logline. It’s the type of documentary that tells a hyper-specific story about the experiences of one singular individual (or, in this case, a pair: Andrea Gibson and their devoted partner Megan Falley) that manages the nearly alchemic achievement of being universal in its themes while remaining focused on its subject. It’s a triumphant film of immense power, overflowing emotions, and welcome, unexpected humor; it’s a total tear-jerker, but not for the reasons you’d expect. Sadness and joy are found in beautiful, equal measure.
Gibson is something of a rock star in the world of poetry, becoming the rare spoken-word artist who has been able to fill concert venues with their devoted fans over the past 20 years. With their writing and subsequent performances, they weave tales about their struggles and self-acceptance, embedded with themes of queerness and social justice. Their poems are intricate and revelatory but lack pretension; in the film, Gibson makes a point to say that they prefer to write pieces that people can understand without a poetry degree. Their creative career faced an abrupt halt in 2021 when they were diagnosed with ovarian cancer. After going through various surgeries and treatments, leading to remissions and recurrences, their cancer was eventually declared incurable. But that didn’t mean they were ready to stop fighting. They decided to continue with experimental treatments, holding to the hope of living as long a life as feasible.
The film follows Gibson as they tell the story of their career, their diagnosis, and most importantly, their loves, namely, their partner Megan Falley. The couple’s mutual love is eminently, profoundly felt in every minute of the film, but that doesn’t mean the documentary descends into sap. Their connection is shown to have a variety of sometimes conflicting elements that make up any successful relationship. They tease, jab, and joke just as much as they embrace and share affirmations and endearments. And their manner of speaking to each other is hilarious, full of intelligent quips and hysterical observations.
As an audience member, it truly feels like you’ve been invited over by the couple for coffee, getting to witness them live their unvarnished, charming truth. But Gibson’s love isn’t merely extended to their romantic partner. As shown during a delightful montage, they keep a tight-knit web of ex-lovers who’ve remained active, platonic parts of their lives. In fact, some of them even work for Gibson. The way that Gibson lives their life without shutting out any possibility of love, regardless of previous history, is a quiet but impactful testament to the power of queer community and the ways that those operating outside of society’s norms can more easily embrace the expansive abilities of the heart.
Although the film is mostly a slice-of-life style look at Gibson and Falley’s daily lives operating under the demands of cancer treatment, the documentary eventually focuses on Gibson’s desire and attempt to get back into live performance. Because of the unfortunate immune-reducing effects of their treatments, they’ve mostly had to isolate since their diagnosis. But with promising test results and a sense of the proverbial clock ticking, they strive to get back into performing mode. This requires them to be both physically and mentally sharp, which makes it all the more difficult for them because of the host of side effects they experience. But it’s an undertaking that’s worth fighting for, and it gives the film a distinct sense of drive that makes it impossible to not feel invested in Gibson’s goal.
It can’t be stressed enough how emotionally impactful “Come See Me in the Good Light” is. It doesn’t stray away from the difficulties and hardships inherent in the circumstances of Gibson’s situation, but it also doesn’t mire itself in them either. And it’s shown that Gibson and Falley don’t wish to rid their lives of joy just because unfortunate medical news and test results are a frequent occurrence. Even when they’re shown receiving unwanted updates, they lean into humor and love while also never ignoring the tough emotional realities of their situation. Throughout the film, they’re shown to be a model of love’s power, and even without the medical difficulties they face, their romance would be moving and admirable.
As Sara Bareilles sings at the film’s conclusion (in a gorgeous, awards-worthy song written by her, Gibson, and Brandi Carlile), life can be “Salt Then Sour Then Sweet.” Gibson and Falley are seen to be open to all the possibilities of the human experience, good and bad, and wish to encounter all of it. Ryan White’s documentary captures that desire, allowing viewers to feel heart-opened and to be completely emotionally impacted. It shows that life becomes so much easier if, as Gibson advises, you, “Just open your heart to love. Everything that you’re feeling, name it love.”
