Phwoar. How to describe this movie? Let’s go with ‘A Kick In The Tits.’ That’s what it feels like. No, this is not a Christmas movie, which I’m sure you’ll be happy to know! Far from it, in fact.
Never Rarely Sometimes Always is a 2020 release(!) and is directed by the supremely talented Eliza Hittman. Focusing primarily on a woman’s right to choose, the film follows a pair of teenage girls who must travel from Pennsylvania to New York in order to obtain medical help that is prohibited in their home state. An extremely ‘real life’ portrayal of the obstacles that are so regularly presented to women and young girls in America, we follow the lead characters in their quest for solace in a highly contentious world.
Let’s speak technically first. From the first shot, the aesthetics in this film are wonderful. The colouring and the framing work together to create an instant vibe, kind of like a more serious, less middle class, and more realistic Lady Bird.
It’ll make you wince and it’ll make you uncomfortable, but that is entirely the point. Stories like this don’t get enough time in the spotlight, and they really need to be heard even just as a comfort for young girls who have maybe had to deal with the same thing. It’s a story rooted in real life, and sometimes real life is deeply uncomfortable and distressing. Basically, don’t watch this if you’re feeling even mildly depressed.
Not only is this a really deep criticism into the failures of female reproductive rights laws, it really works to highlight the struggles of girls in so-called “developed countries” like the United States. I suspect pro-lifers would not approve, but hopefully it provides some insight so that they can better understand and sympathise with the opposing argument. Alas, it’s more than likely that anyone with such strong anti-abortion views would avoid Never Rarely Sometimes Always like the plague.
Both lead actors are wonderful at adding realism to the story. I was surprised to learn that both of them make their feature film debuts with this movie, but perhaps that is what makes their performances so successful – they don’t feel the need to overact, and I suspect that the help of the female director was really cataclysmic in that regard. (For your reference, the two leading ladies are Sidney Flanigan and Talia Ryder. Don’t be surprised if you see them more often very soon.)
Once you hit the titular scene, you’ll be floored. ‘Never Rarely Sometimes Always’ refers to the questionnaire that the main character is asked to complete when arriving at the clinic and boy, it’s so tense. Flanigan’s face fills the entire frame throughout, and her performance is completely out of this world. I get goosebumps just thinking about it.
It’s bleak and it’s pretty upsetting, but there’s a certain quietness running through this film about female friendship that lifts it beyond its depressing themes. It won’t be for everyone, but it’s very well put together and one of the more meaningful movies you’ll see this year.
Never Rarely Sometimes Always is available to stream on Sky Cinema and Now TV in the UK.
TQR Category Ratings:
Performance: 
Cinematography:
Soundtrack:
Costume & Set Design:
Plot:
Overall Enjoyability Rating:
The Quayside Review 