Come See Me in the Good Light - Review from the 2025 Sundance Film Festival

      **Come See Me in the Good Light, 2025**

      Directed by Ryan White.

      Featuring Andrea Gibson, Megan Falley, Heather Mann, Emily Clay, and Bethy Leonard.

      **SYNOPSIS:**

      Two poets face a terminal cancer diagnosis. Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley embark on an unexpectedly humorous and touching journey exploring love, life, and mortality. Ryan White’s documentary chronicles poet laureate Andrea Gibson's experience with advancing cervical cancer. Despite the diagnosis, their partner, Megan Falley, remains steadfast, dedicated to supporting Andrea throughout this journey. This film offers audiences the chance to connect with two remarkable individuals who are also introspective artists deeply in love.

      Upon receiving devastating news, it’s only natural to reassess one’s life through a different perspective. Andrea candidly shares experiences of depression and suicidal thoughts, but as they express, the cancer diagnosis granted them a renewed appreciation for life, realizing their body would serve as the ultimate timer. This allowed them to fully embrace each moment and connect with the world around them.

      Megan, Andrea’s partner, openly discusses her struggles with body image, while Andrea’s illness also helps her discover new facets of herself. Andrea wishes simply for a body that allows them to live a life they cherish even more than before. The film showcases remarkable vulnerability and depth of thought, elevating it beyond a typical “cancer weepie.” The profound love shared by this queer couple is evident, which motivates this review—to highlight and affirm that they exemplify #couplegoals in every sense (although, clearly, one doesn't need cancer to be a great couple).

      Documentaries like this emphasize the significance of collaboration during major health challenges. The sheer volume of appointments, meetings, treatments, medications, emails, fears, and tears is almost unfathomable to an outside observer. A queer person may struggle with the apprehension that health care providers won’t be discriminatory (though this isn’t the focus of the film, it’s an important note, especially since we’re often at our most vulnerable in medical settings).

      A poignant moment arises when Andrea asks Megan if they can wake her when fear sets in. Megan's immediate reassurance highlights the intimacy between the couple, seen in numerous scenes where they lie in bed sharing whispers and gentle conversations. Ryan White’s direction captures many instances of the couple living life together, which I deeply appreciate.

      It’s important to note the beautiful poetry woven throughout the film, including a live spoken word performance introduced by Tig Notaro. Both Andrea and Megan are published poets and share a playful dynamic while editing each other’s works. Andrea’s enthusiasm about introducing themselves as a poet is both authentic and relatable: being an artist involves perpetual discovery, even when faced with the end.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

      Michael McNeely – Find me on Letterboxd