New Doc Feature: "Are We Good?" Sheds New Light on Comedy Legend, Marc Maron

In the past few years, the world has seen the slow but meteoric rise of podcasts. Once thought to be a non-equitable medium now sees shows with viewers averaging in the tens of millions. One of the very first to establish the medium as we know it today was American comedian, Marc Maron, whose show WTF with Marc Maron has been going strong for nearly sixteen years with 55 million annual listeners. This year, SXSW and the Tribeca Film Festival saw the release of Maron's new biographical documentary, Are We Good? which gives audiences a whole new look into the personal life of one of the most recognizable voices in podcasting and comedy.

Marc Maron has been on the comedy scene for decades. Whether its stand-up, podcasting, or acting in film and television, Maron has a long history of entertaining the masses. His work is something that thousands of people hold close to their hearts. But for the past few years, audiences have been seeing a whole new side of Maron. On May 16th of 2020, Maron's girlfriend, filmmaker Lynn Shelton unexpectedly passed away from undiagnosed leukemia. Are We Good? largely examines Maron's grief, and how one of the world's leading comedians deals with such a profound loss. For the past few years, Maron has found solace in Instagram livestreams, connecting with his audience and venting about what's going on in his life, forming a relationship with those who have been supporting his work for years.

There is a great balance of genuine moments and laughs, at no point does the film feel like it's lingering on a subject for too long. It's clear that the producers have a real respect for Maron and want to capture the best of him on camera. In a culture that tells men to be stoic and unfeeling, it's refreshing to see an entertainer be so vulnerable and open about grief.

Despite the heavy subject matter, the film is far from a downer. Filmmakers, Steve Feinertz, Julie Seabaugh, and Ethan Goldman followed Maron for years, learning about not only his career as a comedian but his life as a man. Audiences will find themselves learning so many new things about their favorite funny man that they never would've guessed. For example, viewers will be introduced to Maron's home, vinyl collection, his vinyl collection, and most important of all, his dear cats. Viewers will enjoy watching Maron reflect on his career in entertainment all while his cats prance around in the background. By the end, you'll find yourself dying to grab a beer with him.

Simply put, Are We Good? is one of this year's must-see documentaries. There's a lot to learn from it, whether you're a lifetime fan of Marc Maron, or even someone who's never heard of him. It takes a lot of courage to be that vulnerable on a scale as large as a feature film, and I commend not only Maron for showing his grief, but the filmmakers behind the scenes for bringing the story to the masses. This is the kind of documentary that requires a delicate hand, and the crew did a fantastic job. Are We Good? is a hilarious yet touching story that speaks to us all. So if you've ever struggled with loss, self-confidence, direction, or your career, just know: Maron gets it.