Never Rarely Sometimes Always (2020) — Review

Never Rarely Sometimes Always’ (NRSA) opening brings us straight into an American high school show with a 1950s theme, each act’s jubilant choreography, preppy outfits and crooning harmonies a stark throwback to high school sweethearts and hand jives. We cut to our lead, Autumn, performing alone on stage nervously pouring out a raw, acoustic version of The Exciters’ “He’s Got The Power” that immediately shatters any disillusionment with its opening lyrics:

He makes me do things I don’t wanna do

He makes me say things I don’t wanna say

It’s a jarring contrast that writer and director Eliza Hittman uses to pull us into what she describes as her “anti-Juno film”, a story that presents her perspective on relationships, life and abortion with a weight that firmly places NRSA outside of the “dramedy” genre.

Played by Sidney Flanigan in her acting debut, Autumn shows little connection to her nondescript hometown in Pennsylvania. A modest home life with sweet young sisters is contaminated by her mother’s uncaring male partner, whilst outside of high school’s insults is an unrewarding part-time job. Any smiles or solace come only from her close relationship with her cousin Skylar, a breakout role for actress Talia Ryder.