The tale of the Indigo Girls, popularly known as Amy Ray and Emily Saliers, is a fascinating narrative that spans 40 years, beautifully captured yet not quite perfected in the documentary "It's Only Life After All." Director Alexandria Bombach relied heavily on Ray's collection of archival footage to fashion this narrative but unfortunately, the deeper essence of their incredible journey and cultural impact was not adequately unfolded.
The Indigo Girls are a beloved duo whose songs often find a deep, emotional resonance in the hearts of their audience. In interviews, people confess through teary eyes about how the music saved their lives – a sentiment which, while often scoffed at, is a testament to the powerful emotional grip that Indigo Girls' music has on its listeners. Yet, the documentary fails to capture this essence effectively enough for those unfamiliar with their work.
Introduced back in grade school, Amy was captivated by the guitar-wielding Emily. Their friendship evolved into a musical partnership that survived the divergence of their college paths and the eventual convergence at Emory University. With no manager but a whole lot of determination, they gained a strong local fanbase in Atlanta during the mid-'80s. Their sound featured a clash of personalities – Amy’s rough and gutsy voice and Emily’s clear, high, wistful delivery – a unique combination that would shape the defining sound of the Indigo Girls.
In 1989, their breakout hit "Closer to Fine" made waves on the radio. Despite the mainstream success and associated pressures, Ray and Saliers, both openly lesbian, faced the homophobic atmosphere of the era and maintained a strong presence on the scene. Yet, the documentary failed to capture the broader context of the duo's musical journey.
The film is criticized for its lack of differing perspectives, missing out on conversations with industry and cultural voices that could have provided a wider context to the Indigo Girls’ journey. Unaddressed aspects of their career, like their Christian imagery-filled songs and their stands against the then-contemporary folk scene, lead to frustration.
Despite facing critical backlash and losing a Grammy to the ultimately disgraced Milli Vanilli, the Indigo Girls managed to survive and continue to play packed shows over decades. Their insights on songwriting are intriguing, highlighting the diligent process behind their harmonious music; Ray even admits that Emily is the more gifted songwriter.
Whilst the film delves into the Indigo Girls’ activism, sadly this exploration remains only surface-level. The insightful discussions led by activist Winona LaDuke and the duo's commitment to not overshadow marginalized voices were lost opportunities for the documentary.
Despite its shortcomings, "It's Only Life After All" does show the timeless reach of Indigo Girls’ music, inculcating the significance of the duo's enduring career. However, it leaves much to be desired in terms of exploring why the duo's extraordinary journey is worth celebrating.
