Come See Me in the Good Light by Ryan White [8/10]

What does a poet do after receiving a cancer death sentence? In the case of Andrea Gibson, a brilliant performance poet, the process of grieving and adjusting is beautifully presented by documentary filmmaker Ryan White in Come See Me in the Good Light. The gentle movie lingers over cancer treatment, blood test revelations, ordinary days, musings, and long loving discussions with fellow poet and partner, Megan (“Meg”) Falley. Avoiding sentimentality but diving into Gibson’s exploration of the fears and joys of final moments, the film travels at a clip toward the end (although we never see the very last days of Gibson, who died eight months ago). The core of Come See Me in the Good Light is a breathtaking last performance to a packed crowd, an exultant paean to love. I was moved, dear reader, moved and transported somewhere richer, and so will you be. You too might decide to adopt Gibson’s advice: “Everything you’re feeling now, call it love.”