Never Rarely Sometimes Always

This film tells a teenage girl having to go through a very difficult time of her life, with only the support of her cousin. The scene which features the title of this film is very effective and emotional. The latter part of the film is pretty slow, but heart wrenching.

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.

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.

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.

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.