This doc about the already-haunting Nick Cave was initially intended as a straightforward performance film.
But then his 15-year-old son, Arthur, tragically falls off a cliff.
I currently rank “One More Time With Feeling” #13 in my list of “Best Documentaries about the Creative Process”.
Trailer for “One More Time With Feeling”
Watch “One More Time With Feeling”
I watched it for free on Hoopla at https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/15466766 (I just needed my library card).
You can also stream it on Apple TV at https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/one-more-time-with-feeling/umc.cmc.6ci810ik7scl9if22kmpaf5v2
You can find the latest streaming options at https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/one-more-time-with-feeling
Ratings:
- My Rating: 91/100
- IMDB Rating: 8.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 92/100 (Users); 100/100 (Critics)
Release Date: September 8, 2016
My Review of “One More Time With Feeling”
Nick Cave lets you into his shattered world in “One More Time with Feeling,” and you won’t come out the same.
This doc dives deep into the creation of the 2016 album “Skeleton Tree,” but it’s about much more than music—it’s about grief, love, and survival after unthinkable loss.
You Can’t Make This Sh*t Up
- The Unexpected Pivot — This doc was initially intended as a straightforward performance film. But then Arthur, the 15 year-old son of Cave and his wife Susie, tragically fell to his death from a cliff. The Caves decide to find solace in opening up on camera. The idea that someone could process the loss of a child through an immersive film project feels almost too surreal to believe.
- The First Screening — Dominik has said that showing the film to Nick and Susie was one of the most nerve-wracking experiences of his career. They watched it in complete silence, only speaking afterward to express their gratitude.
A Heartbreaking Collaboration
Directed by Andrew Dominik (“The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford”), this 113-minute black-and-white film features intimate performances, behind-the-scenes studio footage, and interviews.
Dominik (known for his poetic style) captures every emotion ands lets the camera linger on the pain etched into Cave’s face and the halting words of his bandmates.
The decision to film in 3D is a surprising one, but it works. The added depth emphasizes the rawness of the music and the profound stillness in the studio as the songs come to life.
Highlights from the Documentary
- Cave’s Narration — His voice alternates between poetic musings and stark honesty, offering glimpses into his fractured psyche. One moment, he reflects on the passage of time; the next, he speaks candidly about the struggle to find meaning after Arthur’s death.
- Studio Sessions: Watching Cave and the Bad Seeds record “Skeleton Tree” is both mesmerizing and painful. There’s a vulnerability in every note and every hesitant lyric. One of my favorite parts of the doc is “Girl in Amber”.
Conversations with Susie Cave:
I wish there was more on wife Susie. I find that romantic mates behind most creative forces are core to their mate’s work.
Her appearances are brief but some of the film’s most poignant moments. It contrasts with Nick Cave more vocal and visible mourning.
Lesser-Known Details
- 3D Grief: Andrew Dominik chose to film the doc in 3D to capture the raw emotions in heightened detail. A documentary about mourning, rendered with the same technology used for blockbuster spectacles, sounds bizarre—but somehow it works perfectly.
- The Music Changes Midway: The album “Skeleton Tree” was partially written before Arthur’s death, but his loss reshaped the recording sessions entirely. Lyrics that were initially abstract gained a haunting specificity, creating songs that feel eerily prophetic.
- Grief Becomes Poetry: In one striking scene, Nick Cave compares grief to a parallel universe—an invisible world running alongside our own that you can sometimes feel pressing against you. The poetic description feels both mystical and achingly human.
- Arthur’s Presence: While the doc doesn’t dwell on Arthur’s death, it’s infused with his memory. His drawings appear in the background of several scenes, a subtle but powerful tribute.
- An Unplanned Pivot: Originally, Cave resisted making the doc about his personal grief. But during filming, he found that talking about his experience helped him process it.
- The Crew’s Role: Dominik kept the film crew small and unobtrusive to create a safe space for the raw emotions on display. This intimacy is palpable in every frame.
- Critical Acclaim: The film received a standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival, with critics praising its bravery and emotional depth.
Why This Doc Hits So Hard
The combination of Dominik’s directorial approach and Cave’s openness creates something truly rare.
There’s no pretense or sugarcoating. You feel like you’re witnessing someone pick up the pieces of their life in real-time.
The music of “Skeleton Tree” isn’t just a soundtrack to grief—it’s a lifeline.
Songs like “Jesus Alone” and “Distant Sky” resonate with a rawness that words alone can’t convey.
Wrap Up
“One More Time with Feeling” is the best documentary about the intersection of art and grief I’ve ever seen.
It’s not an easy watch (I felt super-sad after watching it).
But if you’ve ever wondered how creativity can coexist with heartbreak—or just need to feel something deeply—this doc is a must.
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc