‘Indigo Girls: It’s Only Life After All’ Review – Moving Music Documentary Connects Us All

The most interesting pieces of film about musicians, narrative or documentary, are not engaging because of the music. That is merely a bonus. If you want the music, streaming options and concert footage exist already. Amazing Grace is not about listening to Aretha sing. It is about connection, vibrancy, and faith. The Decline of Western Civilization is not about listening to punk rock. It is about feeling that rage, experiencing the innate poverty, and understanding where this all came from. The list goes on, but the point remains, it is not about the music. Or at least, it is not solely about the music.

Indigo Girls: It’s Only Life After All follows in this particular grand tradition. Yes, the music is front and center. But this is a movie about shared connection.

The film is painstakingly crafted, a true labor of love. It would be easy, or at least simple, to make this documentary in chronological order. Director Alexandria Bombach is thankfully not interested in simplicity. Her previous work (Frame by Frame, On Her Shoulders), focusing on Afghanistan, The Taliban, and ISIS, at first glance, would force viewers to be surprised that she chose to focus on The Indigo Girls. But this is no surface-level documentary. 

The choice to start now, in the present day, and fade into humble beginnings in Georgia for Emily Saliers and Amy Ray, is an inspired one. At this point in their career, there is almost no pretentiousness or celebrity styling. As Emily says, “We all are who we are.” They are who they are, and despite normal human insecurity, they are mostly content with being honest about themselves. If there is a weakness to this documentary, it is that there is almost too much material. But The Indigo Girls have been playing music together (and been friends and family) for nearly 40 years. This film is a journey – spiritual, personal, and communal – that we are lucky to experience. 

The idea of being who we are, and the importance of finding our shared community is prevalent throughout the film but dealt with through layers of growth. The idea of coming out, of standing up and saying who we are is not one moment, but repeated throughout our lifetimes. The film details the original coming out process of Amy and Emily as teens, coming out as queer musicians, and the changes they have gone through regarding sexuality, gender, and as activists.

Another decision that Bombach makes, although an obvious one, is still the correct one. She chooses to interview fans, particularly queer fans, of the band to show the impact they have had over the last 3-4 decades. This places Amy and Emily between a rock and a hard place. They are forced, on camera, to both reckon with the effects that they have had and to talk about their struggles with both the business of making music and the artistic strain it has had over the years. 

The film really soars when delving into insecurity. Amy talks, at length, about not measuring up to Emily throughout their careers. Whether she is talking about attractiveness, charm, or songwriting prowess; there is an undercurrent of lack of self-worth. Watching Amy discuss her pain, which included deep depression and self-harm, feels deeply intimate and full of sorrow. But Bombach pairing this with her raw, heartbreaking performance is a moment that will not be soon forgotten. 

When the film transitions to the Indigo Girls’ passion for literally saving the world, through environmental activism, It’s Only Life After All reaches a new level. Their desire to help and being ahead of the curve regarding their political stance had been expertly hinted at early in the film and it comes to fruition in the final 30 minutes. Their willingness to call themselves out for “White woman activism” is heartening. It is so easy to get comfortable with the good acts that we have achieved.

This is the overriding message of the film: There is no growth in comfort. The Indigo Girls were not comfortable as teenagers. They struggled to gain a deserved foothold in the homophobic, misogynist world of music. This lack of comfort allowed them to find a way to listen to Indigenous women when it comes to matters impacting them more.  The same is true for platforming Black voices in times of voting strife. The Indigo Girls have always done the work. They continue to do the work. Oh, and the music is amazing, too. Indigo Girls: It’s Only Life After All showcases the power of two women with guitars and an open heart.

Indigo Girls: It’s Only Life After All will debut in theaters across the country on April 10, 2024, courtesy of Oscilloscope Laboratories following a special screening and live performance with the band in their hometown of Atlanta on Friday, March 29th. For a full listing of theaters, please see here. 

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ff_0GbPze4]