Never Rarely Sometimes Always is, at its core, a movie about empathy. We see the world from the perspective of an ordinary 17 year old Pennsylvania girl, and what we see is many subtle but clear hints that while many of the people in powerful positions in her life are men, they have no understanding or appreciation for the things Autumn has to go through. Her boss is a great example of this, being completely unsympathetic to her not feeling good and needing to go home, but there are no shortage of examples, from the subway worker who gives them very curt directions, to the boy on the bus who sees no problem with badgering two girls minding their own business. Some of the personal, private events in women's lives, which abortion is the most extreme example of, simply aren't considered by men as something that they could be going through. In contrast to this complete lack of understanding, you see all the women Autumn meets have an understanding of how difficult this is for her. The bond between Skylar and Autumn is essential to the movie and I love the unwavering support we see from Skylar throughout the movie. This is a fairly minimalist film, with just a few big events, a few characters, and a focus on a couple ideas that are explored deeply. Hittman does a fantastic job of showing character reactions, particularly the discomfort and exhaustion Autumn feels throughout the process, and Skylar's understanding and constant support. Hittman just as pointedly emphasizes the complete lack of understanding of their need for empathy and space, instead seeing it as their right to ask whatever they want and impose as they please (we see this primarily from Jasper). The scenes that really drove this home and were painful to watch were as Skylar sees that she has no alternatives, to make it home she has to make out with this guy who just sees her as an attractive object. She's willing to do that for Autumn, but realizing the complete disconnect between Jasper's perception and reality, and realizing the way Skylar accepts the transactional nature of the interaction really hits home. This is a great movie, and one that reminded me to step back and recognize that women have to go through things and think about things I will never have to, and that it's important to avoid making assumptions about what women have or have not gone through.
186 Reviews
An extremely well directed story highlighting the massive gap between male and female experience
andrewroy-0431627 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
A bleak but effective drama
eddie_baggins30 May 2021
About as far from a feel good movie as you're likely to find, Never Rarely Sometimes Always is not a film made to cheer its audience up or provide entertainment in the typical sense of the word but Eliza Hittman's career defining feature is a powerful and quietly spoken drama that deserves plaudits for its raw and uncompromising look at both teen pregnancy and abortion, in what is often considered a taboo subject matter for features.
Starring relatively unknown actresses Sidney Flanigan and Talia Ryder as cousins and friends Autumn and Skylar, Pennsylvanian natives who must venture to New York City when Autumn becomes pregnant and decides she is not ready to have a child of her own, Always is a road trip movie without any of the laughs or follies that are usually associated with such a narrative and Hittman and her actresses keep the film imbedded in an almost documentary like realism that may sap your energy but keeps you gripped throughout as Autumn's life changing decision draws closer.
Both Autumn and Skylar don't make for the most enjoyable of travel companions, both are clearly victims of their not ideal situations and harsh realities of a world in which they are seen as game to the men preying on them at all angles whether it be at school, work or general public and both of the girls have bypassed much in the way of personality but people like these two lost souls exist in the world and Hittman is determined to ensure her film is a warts and all experience for both her characters and her audience members.
Devoid mostly of color or flair, the world of Autumn and Skylar is bleak like their future prospects seem to be but Always finds a heart and soul in allowing these two struggling teenagers to be that, versions of real life people going through real life decisions and situations that we may not always care to think about but are there ever present regardless.
This type of true to life tale is the type of film that should find a place in schools and grown families lounge rooms, its not a film to watch for the pure delight of it but its one that should be talked about and discussed if for nothing more than to consider what life on the other side of the tracks may be like and how people and their situations shape and mold their decisions as they go through this great big world and their individual lives.
Final Say -
A tough film and one that refuses to shy away from its intense subject matter, Never Rarely Sometimes Always is an important little film that tackles some weighty and often unspoken about tales.
3 1/2 luggage bags out of 5.
Starring relatively unknown actresses Sidney Flanigan and Talia Ryder as cousins and friends Autumn and Skylar, Pennsylvanian natives who must venture to New York City when Autumn becomes pregnant and decides she is not ready to have a child of her own, Always is a road trip movie without any of the laughs or follies that are usually associated with such a narrative and Hittman and her actresses keep the film imbedded in an almost documentary like realism that may sap your energy but keeps you gripped throughout as Autumn's life changing decision draws closer.
Both Autumn and Skylar don't make for the most enjoyable of travel companions, both are clearly victims of their not ideal situations and harsh realities of a world in which they are seen as game to the men preying on them at all angles whether it be at school, work or general public and both of the girls have bypassed much in the way of personality but people like these two lost souls exist in the world and Hittman is determined to ensure her film is a warts and all experience for both her characters and her audience members.
Devoid mostly of color or flair, the world of Autumn and Skylar is bleak like their future prospects seem to be but Always finds a heart and soul in allowing these two struggling teenagers to be that, versions of real life people going through real life decisions and situations that we may not always care to think about but are there ever present regardless.
This type of true to life tale is the type of film that should find a place in schools and grown families lounge rooms, its not a film to watch for the pure delight of it but its one that should be talked about and discussed if for nothing more than to consider what life on the other side of the tracks may be like and how people and their situations shape and mold their decisions as they go through this great big world and their individual lives.
Final Say -
A tough film and one that refuses to shy away from its intense subject matter, Never Rarely Sometimes Always is an important little film that tackles some weighty and often unspoken about tales.
3 1/2 luggage bags out of 5.
Every young male needs to see this film
danstyrlund-954045 April 2020
This film brings us into Autumn's world as she deals with an unintended pregnancy. It it slow paced...the action is subtle, and this is just what makes is so encapsulating and believable. There aren't wild plots twists or sensationalized drama.
The power is in the nuance. Sidney Flanigan gives a strong understated performance that has you feeling to your core for her. I say this as a 32 year old male who has no idea what it is like to be this character.
It was so painful to see how she(and presumably other young woman) get treated by men in this society. It made me question my own actions. I left with a bit more empathy and understanding of a world I was unknowingly oblivious to.
The power is in the nuance. Sidney Flanigan gives a strong understated performance that has you feeling to your core for her. I say this as a 32 year old male who has no idea what it is like to be this character.
It was so painful to see how she(and presumably other young woman) get treated by men in this society. It made me question my own actions. I left with a bit more empathy and understanding of a world I was unknowingly oblivious to.
Captivating and Terrifying
Neon_Gold30 December 2020
I was really impressed by this film. The film making and script worked together so flawlessly to create a story that is so real and interesting and terrifying all at the same time.
The movie is slow but not in a bad way. It takes you along with these characters and makes you almost feel like you are the third person with them on this journey.
I like the stance that the film took with the subject. It didn't give any room for people to have opinions, it just happened. It almost served as an information film about the the struggles and impact that a woman can go though for this procedure in a way that was so 'fly on the wall'. It was like watching 3 days of someone's life.
I think it also shown how difficult it can be to just be a woman in the world and how scary it can be. It didn't do it with big scenes that caused an uproar, it did it with quiet scenes that were just accepted and that makes it even scarier.
I think this film was really well done and really well crafted, the acting was great too. It was one of the indie films that makes you really excited for the world of indie movies.
The movie is slow but not in a bad way. It takes you along with these characters and makes you almost feel like you are the third person with them on this journey.
I like the stance that the film took with the subject. It didn't give any room for people to have opinions, it just happened. It almost served as an information film about the the struggles and impact that a woman can go though for this procedure in a way that was so 'fly on the wall'. It was like watching 3 days of someone's life.
I think it also shown how difficult it can be to just be a woman in the world and how scary it can be. It didn't do it with big scenes that caused an uproar, it did it with quiet scenes that were just accepted and that makes it even scarier.
I think this film was really well done and really well crafted, the acting was great too. It was one of the indie films that makes you really excited for the world of indie movies.
Brilliant
harry_tk_yung11 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I was attracted to this film by the Metascore of 91. But critics' rating is one thing. I was more surprised (delightedly) to see an IMDb user rating of 7.3.
The opening scene is a high school concert in a Pennsylvania town with mundane, half-baked performances. One girl however, despite unsmiling, pours her heart into the song she sings. She is seen next in the washroom, with a close up to her slightly bulging mid-section. Our suspicion of why she looks so angry is soon confirmed. At a local clinic, the health care staff (not unfriendly) explains that they will have her do a self-administered pregnancy test. They also caution that if the result is negative, it may not be absolute, in which case she should take another one a weeks later to make sure. They then give her a device in a package. "That's what they sell in supermarket, right?" she asks although she knows that it is. The instantly available result is positive. "Does it means that it can still be negative?" she enquires. No, she is told, the uncertainty does not work the opposite way.
This Sundance favourite could use an alternate title "three dreary days in New York" (a polar opposite of Woody Allen's recent breezy, witty "A rainy day in New York"). It is an Odyssey of 17-year-old Autumn (Sidney Flanigan), accompanied by endearing cousin Skylar (Talia Ryder), seeking abortion in New York which, unlike her hometown, allows minors to get abortion without seeking parent's consent. Understandably with limited financial resources, they plan a day trip which drags on for two more days. The clinic they visited, upon finding that her pregnancy has been longer than her hometown clinic's assessment, has to send her to their downtown office which, unfortunately, is just about closing. The next day, while received in a professional, helpful and sympathetic manner, she finds that because of the length of her pregnancy, she needs a two-day procedure. I shall not going into the details of the Odyssey of these two girls, strangers in a strange land.
There has been many films on the subject of abortion. What makes this one stand out is its honesty. Throughout the film there is not a single moment of manipulative emotion. In fact the two girls, particularly Autumn, rarely speak. When they do, it is usually giving clear, concise information to people as necessary or answering relevant questions in a level-headed manner (there is one exception which I'll come to later). Between themselves, the exchange brisk remarks. And yet, through close-ups and nuanced pauses, we are privy to the soul of these two remarkable girls, not extraordinary, just remarkable.
The one scene alluded to above has to do with the title of this film. During a long preparatory interview with a very considerate and professional health worker, Autum is asked many questions requiring only multiple-choice answer: never, rarely, sometimes and always. Starting as quite routine, these questions get progressively culminating in what is tantamount to probing whether her pregnancy results from rape. This is the closest we see Autumn showing any emotions, as colour rises on her face and tears start to swell in her eyes.
This is Flanginan's first film and Ryder has only a couple of credits to her name. They are both incredibly convincing in their roles.
The opening scene is a high school concert in a Pennsylvania town with mundane, half-baked performances. One girl however, despite unsmiling, pours her heart into the song she sings. She is seen next in the washroom, with a close up to her slightly bulging mid-section. Our suspicion of why she looks so angry is soon confirmed. At a local clinic, the health care staff (not unfriendly) explains that they will have her do a self-administered pregnancy test. They also caution that if the result is negative, it may not be absolute, in which case she should take another one a weeks later to make sure. They then give her a device in a package. "That's what they sell in supermarket, right?" she asks although she knows that it is. The instantly available result is positive. "Does it means that it can still be negative?" she enquires. No, she is told, the uncertainty does not work the opposite way.
This Sundance favourite could use an alternate title "three dreary days in New York" (a polar opposite of Woody Allen's recent breezy, witty "A rainy day in New York"). It is an Odyssey of 17-year-old Autumn (Sidney Flanigan), accompanied by endearing cousin Skylar (Talia Ryder), seeking abortion in New York which, unlike her hometown, allows minors to get abortion without seeking parent's consent. Understandably with limited financial resources, they plan a day trip which drags on for two more days. The clinic they visited, upon finding that her pregnancy has been longer than her hometown clinic's assessment, has to send her to their downtown office which, unfortunately, is just about closing. The next day, while received in a professional, helpful and sympathetic manner, she finds that because of the length of her pregnancy, she needs a two-day procedure. I shall not going into the details of the Odyssey of these two girls, strangers in a strange land.
There has been many films on the subject of abortion. What makes this one stand out is its honesty. Throughout the film there is not a single moment of manipulative emotion. In fact the two girls, particularly Autumn, rarely speak. When they do, it is usually giving clear, concise information to people as necessary or answering relevant questions in a level-headed manner (there is one exception which I'll come to later). Between themselves, the exchange brisk remarks. And yet, through close-ups and nuanced pauses, we are privy to the soul of these two remarkable girls, not extraordinary, just remarkable.
The one scene alluded to above has to do with the title of this film. During a long preparatory interview with a very considerate and professional health worker, Autum is asked many questions requiring only multiple-choice answer: never, rarely, sometimes and always. Starting as quite routine, these questions get progressively culminating in what is tantamount to probing whether her pregnancy results from rape. This is the closest we see Autumn showing any emotions, as colour rises on her face and tears start to swell in her eyes.
This is Flanginan's first film and Ryder has only a couple of credits to her name. They are both incredibly convincing in their roles.
Never bad. Rarely slow. Sometimes heart wretching. Always great.
Alexander_Blanchett25 February 2020
I loved it. Indie Cinema at its very best. The film is raw and real. The characters are raw and real. It doesnt try to make anything spectacular or romantisice its Topic and characters. Almost felt like a documentary. It is also the birth of two very talented Young actresses who will go a Long way. Sidney Flanagan and Talia Ryder, who already is set up in Steven Spielbergs West Side Story Remake. Flanagan has the lead and the more complicated role. She really put a lot of effort into it and you never see this as a Performance but a real human being. Ryder might not have had the more complicated role but this makes her Performance more complicated as she isnt as Showy as Flanagan. But she still puts so much heart and Soul into it.
I also loved the dynamic between the two Girls. There is actually not much dialogue exhange between both. Often you think they are strangers but still they stick together and stand by each other. Eliza Hittman nailed it again and invites us into the Soul of two teenage Girls of the new millenium. A strong film.
I admire it more than I enjoyed it
stephenstephenbyrne7 August 2020
Torn on this. On one hand it's superbly directed and I respect how its shot in such a non-judgemental way, with a real empathy for its characters and the situation they're dealing with. There's a real honesty to it.
But on the other hand it's also.... a bit of a snoozefest at times and kinnnda underwritten. The protagonist is very quiet and reserved, in a role that's super challenging because you have to convey so much with so little. The film lives and dies by how you connect to that character and in this case it just didn't quite work for me.
When trying to understand why, I thought of Manchester by the Sea for some reason and think the lead performance in that film really captured the energy this was going for, albeit much more successfully. The exception to this possibly being the scene this film derives its name from, which is honestly heartbreaking and one of the more moving moments in cinema this year.
But on the other hand it's also.... a bit of a snoozefest at times and kinnnda underwritten. The protagonist is very quiet and reserved, in a role that's super challenging because you have to convey so much with so little. The film lives and dies by how you connect to that character and in this case it just didn't quite work for me.
When trying to understand why, I thought of Manchester by the Sea for some reason and think the lead performance in that film really captured the energy this was going for, albeit much more successfully. The exception to this possibly being the scene this film derives its name from, which is honestly heartbreaking and one of the more moving moments in cinema this year.
I want more movies like this
lee_eisenberg30 November 2021
Abortion is an under-addressed topic in cinema; hell, the very mention of it will make a movie unmarketable in certain places. That makes it all the more refreshing to see Eliza Hittman's "Never Rarely Sometimes Always", about a small-town teenager whose unplanned pregnancy necessitates a trip to New York.
The movie deliberately has the action move slowly so as to let the characters develop, and does a masterful job at it. The audience is invested in the protagonist, caring deeply what happens to her. I hope that Hittman keeps making this sort of movie, and I hope to see Sidney Flanagan in more movies. Excellent.
The movie deliberately has the action move slowly so as to let the characters develop, and does a masterful job at it. The audience is invested in the protagonist, caring deeply what happens to her. I hope that Hittman keeps making this sort of movie, and I hope to see Sidney Flanagan in more movies. Excellent.
pro-choice realism
SnoopyStyle9 April 2023
Autumn Callahan (Sidney Flanigan) is an outsider at school. She's also pregnant. Abortions are restricted in her small town Pennsylvania home and she faces many hurdles. She tells her cousin Skylar (Talia Ryder). They steal money from their work and head off to New York City.
This is a sincere pro-choice indie presenting a realistic portrait of a teen girl on her abortion journey. It's not the most dramatic story. The acting is quiet. The drama is muted. I thought the movie may do something with the boy, but it ends up being understated. I certainly understand the simplicity of the story to highlight this issue-centered story. The girls are doing nice work. This is effective for an audience of a certain leaning.
This is a sincere pro-choice indie presenting a realistic portrait of a teen girl on her abortion journey. It's not the most dramatic story. The acting is quiet. The drama is muted. I thought the movie may do something with the boy, but it ends up being understated. I certainly understand the simplicity of the story to highlight this issue-centered story. The girls are doing nice work. This is effective for an audience of a certain leaning.
Exceptional
evanston_dad31 July 2020
The name Eliza Hittman meant nothing to me when I saw it in the credits for this movie, but then the Internet reminded me that she also directed "Beach Rats," one of the undiscovered gems of 2017. Now with "Never Rarely Sometimes Always," Hittman has once again proven herself to be one of the most adept filmmakers at tackling the perilous transition from teenager to adult, whether in boys or girls.
"Never Rarely Sometimes Always" resembles another exceptional abortion film, "4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days," though this film doesn't exist in the same menacing environment as that other one. Still, the prospects for the young girl in Hittman's film are no less bleak. For a long time, the film seems to be about the logistics of obtaining an abortion and the desperate lengths a young pregnant woman will go to to have one. But a scene, or should I say THE scene, set in an abortion clinic that gives the film its title, reveals that this film isn't really about abortion as much as it's about sexual abuse and predation. Pregnant or not, abortion or not, this young woman has already been damaged many times before the movie even starts, and it's likely, the film implies, that she'll be damaged again.
Hittman is able to get the most amazing performances out of young and inexperienced actors. In "Beach Rats," she directed Harris Dickinson to an award worthy performance, and she does the same here for Sidney Flanigan, playing an inarticulate and frequently silent young woman whose silence nevertheless speaks volumes.
Grade: A
"Never Rarely Sometimes Always" resembles another exceptional abortion film, "4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days," though this film doesn't exist in the same menacing environment as that other one. Still, the prospects for the young girl in Hittman's film are no less bleak. For a long time, the film seems to be about the logistics of obtaining an abortion and the desperate lengths a young pregnant woman will go to to have one. But a scene, or should I say THE scene, set in an abortion clinic that gives the film its title, reveals that this film isn't really about abortion as much as it's about sexual abuse and predation. Pregnant or not, abortion or not, this young woman has already been damaged many times before the movie even starts, and it's likely, the film implies, that she'll be damaged again.
Hittman is able to get the most amazing performances out of young and inexperienced actors. In "Beach Rats," she directed Harris Dickinson to an award worthy performance, and she does the same here for Sidney Flanigan, playing an inarticulate and frequently silent young woman whose silence nevertheless speaks volumes.
Grade: A
Clinical
Cineanalyst31 December 2020
"Never Rarely Sometimes Always," a title taken from the multiple-choice options of a medical questionnaire performed at a Planned Parenthood facility, is probably wisely mostly clinical in its quest narrative of a teenager traveling from a backwater Pennsylvanian town to New York abortion clinics. Regardless of one's opinions on abortion, I know I don't want to see the pro-choice version of the manipulative emotionalism and propaganda that critics have accused (and which I haven't seen) of the pro-life diatribe "Unplanned" (2019). I think such quiet straightforwardness as displayed here makes for a stronger polemic anyways.
Sidney Flanigan and Talia Ryder, who play the cousins making the trip, are appreciably naturalistic, which is also aided by the intimate, hand-held camerawork. The picture does well to demonstrate their close bond despite the relative lack of dialogue, and the movie's reservedness makes its couple of more-emotional scenes, the titular questionnaire and a sequence where the cousins are momentarily split apart, stronger by contrast.
A more questionable element of the picture, written and directed by Eliza Hittman, is that every man in it who isn't merely doing his job--usually behind protective glass--is a creep or pervert. A boy from school is rudely juvenile, the mother's boyfriend makes a sexual comment while petting a dog and comes across as a schmuck otherwise, the manager where the cousins work disgustingly force kisses their hands at the end of each shift, a young man's intentions towards the cousin become ominous, and there's the guy masturbating on the subway. Plus, there's the, as based on the answers to the questionnaire, violence of a man or men against the girl. To be fair, the women who aren't the leads or who don't work for Planned Parenthood, also come across poorly--the mother and the local supposed-doctor. The result is that "Never Rarely Sometimes Always" isn't only a bleak outlook on the abortion situation in the United States, but also a bleak view in general of humanity.
Sidney Flanigan and Talia Ryder, who play the cousins making the trip, are appreciably naturalistic, which is also aided by the intimate, hand-held camerawork. The picture does well to demonstrate their close bond despite the relative lack of dialogue, and the movie's reservedness makes its couple of more-emotional scenes, the titular questionnaire and a sequence where the cousins are momentarily split apart, stronger by contrast.
A more questionable element of the picture, written and directed by Eliza Hittman, is that every man in it who isn't merely doing his job--usually behind protective glass--is a creep or pervert. A boy from school is rudely juvenile, the mother's boyfriend makes a sexual comment while petting a dog and comes across as a schmuck otherwise, the manager where the cousins work disgustingly force kisses their hands at the end of each shift, a young man's intentions towards the cousin become ominous, and there's the guy masturbating on the subway. Plus, there's the, as based on the answers to the questionnaire, violence of a man or men against the girl. To be fair, the women who aren't the leads or who don't work for Planned Parenthood, also come across poorly--the mother and the local supposed-doctor. The result is that "Never Rarely Sometimes Always" isn't only a bleak outlook on the abortion situation in the United States, but also a bleak view in general of humanity.
Honest.
colorthekid11 May 2020
Always be kind to one another
frukuk8 March 2023
Sidney Flanigan gives a wonderfully believable performance as Autumn.
While there's nothing particularly novel about this film -- a young woman gets pregnant and then faces the challenges of getting unpregnant -- I really warmed to it. You might expect a film like this to simply try to make you feel angry: either angry that Autumn should want to become unpregnant or angry at the obstacles put in her way by those opposed to her course of action. But this film has a stoicism and a gentleness to it; however challenging things become, Autumn and her friend Skylar stick together and see things through.
As well as a wonderful performance from Sidney Flanigan, Talia Ryder (Skylar) and Mia Dillon (Women's Centre Director) also gave remarkably nuanced and restrained performances.
BTW, Sidney Flanigan looks remarkably like the French musician Jehnny Beth (Camille Berthomier).
While there's nothing particularly novel about this film -- a young woman gets pregnant and then faces the challenges of getting unpregnant -- I really warmed to it. You might expect a film like this to simply try to make you feel angry: either angry that Autumn should want to become unpregnant or angry at the obstacles put in her way by those opposed to her course of action. But this film has a stoicism and a gentleness to it; however challenging things become, Autumn and her friend Skylar stick together and see things through.
As well as a wonderful performance from Sidney Flanigan, Talia Ryder (Skylar) and Mia Dillon (Women's Centre Director) also gave remarkably nuanced and restrained performances.
BTW, Sidney Flanigan looks remarkably like the French musician Jehnny Beth (Camille Berthomier).
Slow, emotional, rigged
pedromeskita19 July 2021
This movie gives the illusion that the two sides of a complex situation are taken into account, with Autumn, the main character, taking a firm, reasoned decision about her life and her body, while the rest of the world is just there to support her, whatever the decision is. Did I say the rest of the world? Well for a start we never know who the father is, we just have some clues that he is probably a selfish, abusive boy that forced her into pregnancy and then discarded her. We also have some hints that her father doesn't care about her too. But what about her mother? We don't understand why Autumn never talks to her about her problem. As far as the movie tells, the mother is understanding, caring and supportive. Was she just portrayed this way so that no female character is demonized (and all the blame can fall into the men involved)? We never know. Then we have this boy they met on the bus who leads the cousin into (shame!) illegal drinking (she's 20) and then "forces" her to kissing and possibly something else if not for Autumn who was there to rescue her. What was the purpose of this? Was this to show how selfish the cousin was in taking Autumn out while she was in considerate pain and discomfort? Or was this to support the narrative that "men only want one thing and it's disgusting"? After kissing the cousin, the boy gets some cash from the ATM and pays for their train, suggesting that he was "used" for the money. Everyone in the abortion clinic seem very nice and empathetic, but i still struggled to understand why the family was never brought into discussion. Even the questionnaire from which the movie borrows its name doesn't ask questions about the family.
I think this movie is not bad, hence the 4 stars. It is emotionally engaging, the acting is allright and the cinematography is good. However, it fails in its claim of addressing a complicate issue in a fair way.
I think this movie is not bad, hence the 4 stars. It is emotionally engaging, the acting is allright and the cinematography is good. However, it fails in its claim of addressing a complicate issue in a fair way.
Hard to Watch, but Fantastic Nonetheless
kjproulx7 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Independent films that premiere at festivals, get picked up by a pretty recognizable distribution company, and eventually either released in theatres, or in this case, at home, rarely get seen by a large audience, due to the small nature of the movie. Without large marketing campaigns, films like Never Rarely Sometimes Always are likely to fall by the wayside. With that said, it's also very much a case of whether or not you're willing to watch a film with tough subject matter. I always highly recommend viewers seek out hidden gems because you will often find something great that nobody has been talking about. Due to the premise of this movie though, I find it extremely difficult to tell you to watch it and here's why.
After 17-year-old Autumn finds out she's unintentionally pregnant, she ventures off to New York City with the company of her cousin. Her plan is to find a clinic that will allow her to terminate the pregnancy, which becomes quite a stressful life-threatening trip for her. Off the top, I'll just state that if this premise will never be able to hold your attention, I'll save you from this movie in saying that it really does waiver from that synopsis. When I watch a movie, I choose to put myself in the shoes of the person involved, even if that means stretching my beliefs a little. In regards to that, this movie is absolutely fantastic.
From the dirty, grainy look to the entire film to the incredibly raw performances by both Sidney Flanigan and Talia Ryder, this film had all the makings of what people in the film industry consider a "festival darling." Not only did this film feel authentic from start to finish, but can also work as a lesson to those who are faced with a similar situation. While I found myself fundamentally disagreeing with every single decision every character made throughout the course of this movie, I also felt for them. Autumn was faced with impossible circumstances between this and her home life and made you beg the question of what the right decision truly was.
Written and directed by Eliza Hittman, Never Rarely Sometimes Always has proven to me that she is a director worth following. The performances she was able to get out of every actor/actress involved were amazing to me. I believe it was due to her realistic screenplay and caring direction that such an authentic film came from her. She is definitely someone I will seek out in the future. While it is some very tough subject matter to handle, I believe she did a great job, even if it will be a devastating watch for many viewers.
In the end, Never Rarely Sometimes Always is not a film for everyone. Some viewers will despise it, some, like myself, will be able to look at the story itself and find a fantastically done film, and other may be able to relate to it on a personal level. This is the type of movie that will hit viewers in many different ways. On top of that, it has a very slow and quiet feel to it, so some viewers may also find it slightly boring. For me, it was kind of the perfect storm of being hard to watch, but also impeccably made. Again, it's very hard to recommend this one, but if you're willing, it's pretty great.
After 17-year-old Autumn finds out she's unintentionally pregnant, she ventures off to New York City with the company of her cousin. Her plan is to find a clinic that will allow her to terminate the pregnancy, which becomes quite a stressful life-threatening trip for her. Off the top, I'll just state that if this premise will never be able to hold your attention, I'll save you from this movie in saying that it really does waiver from that synopsis. When I watch a movie, I choose to put myself in the shoes of the person involved, even if that means stretching my beliefs a little. In regards to that, this movie is absolutely fantastic.
From the dirty, grainy look to the entire film to the incredibly raw performances by both Sidney Flanigan and Talia Ryder, this film had all the makings of what people in the film industry consider a "festival darling." Not only did this film feel authentic from start to finish, but can also work as a lesson to those who are faced with a similar situation. While I found myself fundamentally disagreeing with every single decision every character made throughout the course of this movie, I also felt for them. Autumn was faced with impossible circumstances between this and her home life and made you beg the question of what the right decision truly was.
Written and directed by Eliza Hittman, Never Rarely Sometimes Always has proven to me that she is a director worth following. The performances she was able to get out of every actor/actress involved were amazing to me. I believe it was due to her realistic screenplay and caring direction that such an authentic film came from her. She is definitely someone I will seek out in the future. While it is some very tough subject matter to handle, I believe she did a great job, even if it will be a devastating watch for many viewers.
In the end, Never Rarely Sometimes Always is not a film for everyone. Some viewers will despise it, some, like myself, will be able to look at the story itself and find a fantastically done film, and other may be able to relate to it on a personal level. This is the type of movie that will hit viewers in many different ways. On top of that, it has a very slow and quiet feel to it, so some viewers may also find it slightly boring. For me, it was kind of the perfect storm of being hard to watch, but also impeccably made. Again, it's very hard to recommend this one, but if you're willing, it's pretty great.
Crafted With Prudence. Told Without Prejudice. Driven By Poignant Performances.
CinemaClown5 December 2020
A touching, heartbreaking & bracingly relevant indie that beats at its loudest during the quieter moments in between, Never Rarely Sometimes Always is a small-scale but powerfully resonant drama that tackles its difficult subject matter with prudence & without prejudice, and is wonderfully manoeuvred by the poignant performances from its young ladies.
Written & directed by Eliza Hittman, the premise is a simple one but the emotions it elicits are raw & evocative. The plot is lean, focused & constantly on the move, and Hittman places complete trust in her actors to guide her story to its destination. The characters are sketched with care & compassion, their predicament is firmly rooted in reality, and they are beautifully rendered by the cast.
Sidney Flanigan plays the teenage protagonist seeking medical help in the wake of an unintended pregnancy and the subtleness with which she brings her character's inner turmoil to surface is simply astounding, even more so on realising that it's her acting debut. Talia Ryder deserves a mention too, chipping in with a strong support that's just as impressive if not more as her character is challenged in her own ways.
Overall, Never Rarely Sometimes Always is a sincere, heartfelt & genuinely moving indie drama that benefits from Hittman's composed direction & sensible writing, and is further elevated by emotionally engrossing inputs from both Flanigan & Ryder. The documentary-like approach, silent camerawork & relaxed pace serve as necessities to this performance-driven story while quality work from its cast makes it all the more effective & worthwhile.
Written & directed by Eliza Hittman, the premise is a simple one but the emotions it elicits are raw & evocative. The plot is lean, focused & constantly on the move, and Hittman places complete trust in her actors to guide her story to its destination. The characters are sketched with care & compassion, their predicament is firmly rooted in reality, and they are beautifully rendered by the cast.
Sidney Flanigan plays the teenage protagonist seeking medical help in the wake of an unintended pregnancy and the subtleness with which she brings her character's inner turmoil to surface is simply astounding, even more so on realising that it's her acting debut. Talia Ryder deserves a mention too, chipping in with a strong support that's just as impressive if not more as her character is challenged in her own ways.
Overall, Never Rarely Sometimes Always is a sincere, heartfelt & genuinely moving indie drama that benefits from Hittman's composed direction & sensible writing, and is further elevated by emotionally engrossing inputs from both Flanigan & Ryder. The documentary-like approach, silent camerawork & relaxed pace serve as necessities to this performance-driven story while quality work from its cast makes it all the more effective & worthwhile.
carrying so much
ferguson-62 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Greetings again from the darkness. Movies that put youngsters in peril can go one of two directions: the story can feel contrived to the point of manipulation, or it can be real and heartfelt with commentary on society. Filmmaker Eliza Hittman proved her mettle with BEACH RATS (2017), and she proves yet again, that her instincts translate to the screen in stories and characters that hit a nerve.
It's stunning to discover that this is the first screen credit for Sidney Flanigan who plays 17 year old Autumn. We first see her onstage at her school talent show singing a soulful rendition of "He's Got the Power", a 1963 song by The Exciters. Her performance stands in contrast to the mostly generic acts from her classmates, though it's our first hint at how she is perceived. Autumn is one of those teens who seems to be naturally burdened with more than she can carry. A bloated belly leads her to take a pregnancy test at the local clinic, where she is informed that "a positive is always a positive" - a brilliant line than doesn't hold true for all interpretations.
The clinic worker shows Autumn an anti-abortion video, which leads her to Google do-it-yourself abortion, and finally to the realization that because of Pennsylvania's requirement for parental consent, she'll have to travel to New York City for the procedure. Fortunately for Autumn, she has a trusted and resourceful friend/cousin/co-worker in Skylar (Talia Ryder, who will appear in Spielberg's upcoming WEST SIDE STORY remake). The girls skim from their cash registers at the grocery store they both work at, and then hop on the bus towards the city.
Their time in the city is an adventure unto itself. By this time we've seen some of the everyday obstacles faced by teenage girls, including thoughtless teenage boys, a loathsome stepfather (Ryan Eggold), and a sleazy store manager. All of this is in addition to the challenges brought on by being a sexually active minor. On the trip, they meet Jasper (Theodore Pellerin, "On Becoming a God in Central Florida"), a fellow bus traveler who strikes up a conversation. Is he a good guy or not? Can he be trusted or not? Again, these are situations that the teens must navigate through instincts not yet fully developed.
A questionnaire administered at the Planned Parenthood clinic provides the film's title, as well as one of its most powerful scenes. Ms. Flanigan is exceptional as this simple form requires her to face her situation and her life as she answers questions regarding her sexual and personal history. Ms. Ryder is also tremendous in making Skylar such a strong young woman and friend. This film and these actresses show more than they tell. The minimal dialogue contrasts to the many movies who portray gabby teens. Writer-director Hittman seems to make movies more appreciated by critics than mainstream audiences, but it seems her time is coming. She makes her political belief quite clear, but does so by focusing on the real world that teenage girls face. It's a dramatic work of art with extraordinary camera work by Helene Louvart (the excellent INVISIBLE LIFE, 2019).
It's stunning to discover that this is the first screen credit for Sidney Flanigan who plays 17 year old Autumn. We first see her onstage at her school talent show singing a soulful rendition of "He's Got the Power", a 1963 song by The Exciters. Her performance stands in contrast to the mostly generic acts from her classmates, though it's our first hint at how she is perceived. Autumn is one of those teens who seems to be naturally burdened with more than she can carry. A bloated belly leads her to take a pregnancy test at the local clinic, where she is informed that "a positive is always a positive" - a brilliant line than doesn't hold true for all interpretations.
The clinic worker shows Autumn an anti-abortion video, which leads her to Google do-it-yourself abortion, and finally to the realization that because of Pennsylvania's requirement for parental consent, she'll have to travel to New York City for the procedure. Fortunately for Autumn, she has a trusted and resourceful friend/cousin/co-worker in Skylar (Talia Ryder, who will appear in Spielberg's upcoming WEST SIDE STORY remake). The girls skim from their cash registers at the grocery store they both work at, and then hop on the bus towards the city.
Their time in the city is an adventure unto itself. By this time we've seen some of the everyday obstacles faced by teenage girls, including thoughtless teenage boys, a loathsome stepfather (Ryan Eggold), and a sleazy store manager. All of this is in addition to the challenges brought on by being a sexually active minor. On the trip, they meet Jasper (Theodore Pellerin, "On Becoming a God in Central Florida"), a fellow bus traveler who strikes up a conversation. Is he a good guy or not? Can he be trusted or not? Again, these are situations that the teens must navigate through instincts not yet fully developed.
A questionnaire administered at the Planned Parenthood clinic provides the film's title, as well as one of its most powerful scenes. Ms. Flanigan is exceptional as this simple form requires her to face her situation and her life as she answers questions regarding her sexual and personal history. Ms. Ryder is also tremendous in making Skylar such a strong young woman and friend. This film and these actresses show more than they tell. The minimal dialogue contrasts to the many movies who portray gabby teens. Writer-director Hittman seems to make movies more appreciated by critics than mainstream audiences, but it seems her time is coming. She makes her political belief quite clear, but does so by focusing on the real world that teenage girls face. It's a dramatic work of art with extraordinary camera work by Helene Louvart (the excellent INVISIBLE LIFE, 2019).
It is realistic... until you look at the whole picture!
Erfangholiz4 December 2020
First of all, this movie strives to be realistic and truly put you in the shoes of a 17 year old pregnant girl. The characters are never entirely bad or entirely good which is exactly the right move for these types of movies,because if they were exaggerated in any way the film would end up feeling irrelevant and distant and it would defeat the entire purpose of it.
The mistake the writer makes is the distribution of good and evil !
When you look at the characters individually they're actually very well written they're never exaggeratedly good or evil and all feel like they could exist in the world we know, but when you zoom out and look at the whole picture you notice how every single male character with more than one line of dialogue was kind of a douche (to different degrees of course, as I said the writer never exaggerates) and every single woman with more than one line of dialogue was a nurturing angel (again to different degrees)?
The movie should be realistic and it is, until it isn't, until you realize you didn't see ONE decent man or ONE mean woman for an hour and forty minutes.
The mistake the writer makes is the distribution of good and evil !
When you look at the characters individually they're actually very well written they're never exaggeratedly good or evil and all feel like they could exist in the world we know, but when you zoom out and look at the whole picture you notice how every single male character with more than one line of dialogue was kind of a douche (to different degrees of course, as I said the writer never exaggerates) and every single woman with more than one line of dialogue was a nurturing angel (again to different degrees)?
The movie should be realistic and it is, until it isn't, until you realize you didn't see ONE decent man or ONE mean woman for an hour and forty minutes.
a Great work of art from everyone involved
mbrcf2 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Never Rarely Sometimes Always is the second feature film written and directe by Eliza Hitmann. The story follows a 17-year old girl named Autumn (Sidney Flanigan) in a small town somewhere in Pennsylvania who had recently found out she's 10-week pregnant. Together with her cousin and best friend Skylar (Talia Ryder), they travel to New York city in order to abort the unwanted child.
Not much is spoken between the duo in the course of this journey, all the feelings, needs and thoughts are given through a gaze, a smile or sometimes a hand touch. The film uses many many close-ups of Autums's face, whereever she might be, along with a powerful ambient music. We get to know her through these moments, and we feel her pain in ourselves.
This film has 2 major subplots, the first being the abortion and unwanted pregnancy and director Hittman masterfully delivers her message through this film. the second subplot was the beautiful friendship of the two girls, a friendship that, as is shown in the film, above all other things in this world. I was extremely impressed by this aspect of the film and the brilliant performance of Flanigan and Ryder was a big factor in this regard.
this film is not easy to sit through, it's definitely not a date or popcorn film, but it's an important one and it will stay with you for a while at least.
Not much is spoken between the duo in the course of this journey, all the feelings, needs and thoughts are given through a gaze, a smile or sometimes a hand touch. The film uses many many close-ups of Autums's face, whereever she might be, along with a powerful ambient music. We get to know her through these moments, and we feel her pain in ourselves.
This film has 2 major subplots, the first being the abortion and unwanted pregnancy and director Hittman masterfully delivers her message through this film. the second subplot was the beautiful friendship of the two girls, a friendship that, as is shown in the film, above all other things in this world. I was extremely impressed by this aspect of the film and the brilliant performance of Flanigan and Ryder was a big factor in this regard.
this film is not easy to sit through, it's definitely not a date or popcorn film, but it's an important one and it will stay with you for a while at least.
Should've been a short film
arturasantos5 April 2020
I came to this movie pretty hyped up due to it's great critical acclaim but it doesn't go all that impressing as critics are claiming. The acting is great, the dialogues are pretty raw and well written too. Directing-wise it pretty much works like any generic Indie film in 2020 (the style reminded me a lot of Eighth Grade). This is another movie that intends to talk about an important matter and portrays it in a super realistic way, but at the end you realize it doesn't really say anything about that subject that actually stands out. I do think it brings up some really interesting questions about abortion and misogyny, but nothing that hasn't been done before. Needed to be way way shorter, then I guess it could've worked better for me (and that's coming from someone who likes slow-paced movies!). Probably won't be re-watching it, but I wouldn't discourage you not to see it though; if you're curious go for it, you might enjoy this more than I did.
Never Underestimate the Power...
Xstal23 April 2020
...of libertarian film makers and storytellers; they Rarely misjudge the mood; Sometimes they affect the future choices, some of their audience will make; they Always strive for a fairer and better world.
The challenges faced by a young woman and how she faces up to those challenges, overcoming the impediments placed before her, in a system that predominantly fights against her and denies her basic human rights.
Informative enough for any young women finding themselves in a similar predicament to know they have choices that they, and only they, need to make.
An outstanding performance from Sidney Flanigan.
The challenges faced by a young woman and how she faces up to those challenges, overcoming the impediments placed before her, in a system that predominantly fights against her and denies her basic human rights.
Informative enough for any young women finding themselves in a similar predicament to know they have choices that they, and only they, need to make.
An outstanding performance from Sidney Flanigan.
Too slow for me and, not all guys are terrible!
JustinHow13 September 2020
I have no issue with the message or politics of this movie at all, in fact they largely align with my own and it is an important topic. However this movie is just too slow in places and as some others have mentioned should have been shorter.
As one example - I am not interested in the boring journey from the home town to New York which must have taken up 5 mins or more of screen time - this part is too much likely boring reality TV. We all know what boring train journeys are like.
The other aspect that made me uneasy was the poor light in which pretty much all male characters were shown. I am aware that there are a lot of misogynistic guys who are all to happy to hassle girls and treat them with a lack of respect, but equally there are a lot of decent well meaning ones as well.
The danger of this last point is that you may lose a lot of the male viewers who will feel they are all being unfairly tarred with the same brush.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCE.
andrewchristianjr14 August 2020
Not the type to recommend to everyone due to its controversial subject. The decision to get an abortion is a complicated one. Standout performance by both the girls. It feels almost too real at times. Authentic movie from start to end despite the controversial subject. Well done.
Eye-opening
mtregs10 November 2020
I gave it an 8 only because it was slow moving.. Other then that This was a real eye opener! Please parents educate ypur children. No child should EVER have to go thru this or feel like this....After this I hugged my teenager and said NO MATTER WHAT ALWAYS TALK TO ME.. This movie was moving and eye opening..
Not too sure.....
millanadee19 March 2021
A little too flat for my liking. I think it went overboard on the non drama. I think the topic deserves a little more conversation a little more emotion than was portrayed here. What also bothered me was the questioning in the clinic, having been in this situation, I can say that that is not the way the conversation or questioning goes. I think it went a little too far with the dullness of it all.
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