Marc Maron, doomy as ever, comes to richer life in the doc ‘Are We Good?’

by

As a big fan of Marc Maron’s podcast, “WTF With Marc Maron”, I’ve really appreciated getting to hear so many incredible, in-depth interviews over the years. He’s spoken with tons of famous people – actors, musicians, comedians, and even politicians (remember when Barack Obama was on back in 2015?). But it’s been more than just the guests. It’s also felt like a really personal look into Marc himself, and his own struggles. He hasn’t shied away from sharing some very vulnerable things in his opening monologues – everything from his difficult feelings and his 20-year battle with addiction (he’s been sober since 1999) to the heartbreaking loss of his partner, Lynn Shelton, the talented filmmaker behind movies like “Humpday” and “Your Sister’s Sister,” who passed away in 2020.

This deeply personal ground and much more is explored in the captivating documentary “Are We Good?” (inspired by Maron’s familiar closing line on his “WTF” podcast), which was produced and directed by Steven Feinartz. It offers a remarkably intimate, observational look into his life.

Feinartz, who also directed Marc Maron’s previous two HBO stand-up specials, started filming in 2021. He followed Maron while he performed at comedy clubs across the country, from Los Angeles to Montreal, and recorded his podcast in the home studio in his Glendale garage. The film also shows Maron with his aging father and, most importantly, as he copes with the devastating loss of Shelton. This loss becomes the central focus of the documentary; Maron’s grief impacts his everyday life and thinking, but also provides material-often darkly funny-for his stand-up routines.

Feinartz skillfully portrays this delicate balance with honesty, elegance, and understanding, ensuring the film’s emotionally charged moments don’t become excessively bleak or overly emotional. A stand-up routine where Maron remembers his morbid impulse to take a hospital selfie after saying goodbye to Shelton (he ultimately decided against it) is a striking example of the comedian’s bold, yet thoughtful, perspective on life.

The fact that Shelton passed away right when the COVID-19 pandemic began made an already tough time even harder for Maron. He couldn’t share his grief with as many people because of social distancing. Eventually, he managed to find humor in the situation, and began including the memory in his comedy routine with playful satire. He found a way to laugh through the pain, even while acknowledging how difficult it all was.

Entertainment & Arts

After almost 1,600 episodes, Marc Maron and producer Brendan McDonald are ending their popular podcast, ‘WTF With Marc Maron,’ this fall.

Those who know Marc Maron for his blunt, sometimes foul-mouthed, personality will probably really enjoy spending around 90 minutes with him and getting a glimpse into his anxious inner world. He fully embraces that persona here, even as he deals with his two independent cats. Although Maron occasionally complains about the filmmaker’s constant presence, he seems to have given him pretty much unlimited access to his everyday life, which is surprising considering how often he acts grumpy. He might not *want* to be the center of attention, but he definitely is one.

Now, if you haven’t already fallen for Marc Maron, you might find him a little…intense. He’s super open about being selfish, anxious, and panicky, and honestly, that level of honesty can be a lot for some people. But I think it’s easy to connect with his really insightful thoughts – like, he asks, “How do you love somebody else if you really can’t love yourself?” – and you definitely feel the deep respect he had for Lynette Shelton. The film shows her in these amazing, and honestly, heartbreaking clips, and it’s truly moving.

Several other comedians, including Nate Bargatze, David Cross, Caroline Rhea, Michaela Watkins, and John Mulaney, also share their thoughts, offering both heartfelt and witty perspectives on Maron. Maron himself has often talked about his upbringing with emotionally unavailable, narcissistic parents and how this likely contributed to his self-doubt. While this isn’t explored extensively in the film, the moments featuring Maron with his father, Barry-who is now in his mid-80s and living with dementia-are particularly touching, revealing a gentler, more understanding side of the comedian that might even surprise him.

It would have been good to highlight Marc Maron’s acting career a little more. He’s been getting more roles in recent years, including memorable parts on TV shows like Glow and Stick, and in films such as Joker and the forthcoming Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere. Maron has often expressed doubts about his acting skills, and this internal conflict seems to connect with his other insecurities.

However, this profile – filled with compelling old and personal videos and photos of Maron over the years – isn’t intended to be a complete life story, and it doesn’t attempt to be. Essentially, it’s a look at a very open and honest man during a specific period in his life, and how his experiences have shaped him – or maybe haven’t. We’re certainly fortunate to get such an intimate view of this remarkable artist.

Read More

2025-10-04 00:31