Review by paul-allaer

As "Sheryl" (2022 release; 95 min) opens, we are at the Gorge Amphitheater, and Sheryl addresses the camera about her life. We then go to "Bennett, Missouri" where Sheryl grew up and simply loved music. After doing the vocals for a McDonald's commercial, Sheryl decides to move to Los Angeles... At this [point we are less than 10 min into the documentary.

Couple of comments: this is directed by Amy Scott (2018's "Hal"). More importantly, this documentary is utterly and completely approved and controlled by Sheryl Crow herself. She does most of the talking and it's all very straight-forward. Yes, th ere is the unwanted sexual harassment by Michael Jackson's manager and the "controversy" around the "Leaving Las Vegas" song title ("borrowed from John O'Brien's book of the same name). And of course there is the background behind some of her greatest and most beloved songs. I> am a big Sheryl Crown fan, who is pretty much the same age as me, and had all of her first decade's albums. So I really wanted to like this documentary. But I found it too bland, too straight-forward. Do I know Sheryl Crow any better now that I've seen this documentary? Not really. Is this documentary outright 'bad'? No, but it does feel like a missed opportunity. I think the definitive Sheryl Crow will be made some other time.

"Sheryl" premiered this weekend on Showtime, and being the big Crow fan that I am, I didn't hesitate to check it out. I can't help but feel a little let down by the film. But of course don't take my word for it, so I encourage you to check it out and draw your own conclusion.