Never Rarely Sometimes
Always (Niemals Selten
Manchmal Immer)
UK/USA 2019
Opening October 1, 2020
Directed by: Eliza Hittman
Writing credits: Eliza
Hittman
Principal actors: Sidney
Flanigan, Talia Ryder,
Théodore Pellerin
The film begins with a song.
A rather plain 17-year-old named Autumn (Sidney Flanigan)
dispassionately strums a guitar and belts out a ballad of
destructive love at the high school talent show, much to
the malicious sniggering of some teenage boys. One calls
out “Slut!” She pauses, and then resolutely finishes her
song. After Autumn’s performance, her nervousness lingers.
Sullen, expressionless, yet composed, she clearly has
something else on her mind. As scenes of domestic (un)bliss
unfold, it becomes obvious that her parents, and especially
her step-father, are not the ones to share it with. So Autumn
turns to her best friend and cousin Skylar (Talia Ryder)
who immediately understands her grave plight: Autumn is
pregnant and doesn’t want to keep the baby.
In Pennsylvania it is impossible for girls under the age of 18
to have a legal abortion without their parent’s permission.
So Autumn and Skylar pocket some money from the grocery
store where they work after school and head off on a bus
to Planned Parenthood in New York City. Innocents from
rural America, they walk the streets of the city hoping for
deliverance. On the bus they meet a nameless nerdy young
man (Théodore Pellerin, who also appears in My Salinger
Year [2019]) who takes a real liking to the blue-eyed beauty
Skylar, so they swap phone numbers. Was this a grave
mistake? Watching these two feckless teenage girls alone in
New York City is unnerving; there is always a lingering sense
of dread that they are one step away from a terrible fate.
The film is full of silences. Dialogue is scarce in this movie,
which begins in rural, blue-collar Pennsylvania before
moving into the bright lights of Times Square. Autumn
and Skylar have very little need for conversation. They
have hardly any money and no place to stay. They are two
inseparable friends on a quest, inexplicably schlepping an
oversized suitcase around the streets and steps of the city.
In a stirring long-take scene at Planned Parenthood, Autumn
is told to answer “Never, rarely, sometimes, or always”
to questions about her sexual history. As the counselor’s
questions become more probing, it is clear that Autumn has
endured a lot. Her stoic brushed-away tears and darting
eyes tell the story of sexual abuse. She hardly says a word.
Never Rarely Sometimes Always is a moving film about
an uncomfortable topic. Both the slow, deliberate pace and
the power of silence are internalized and embraced by its
exceptional actors. (Pat Frickey)
Military Wives (Mrs. Taylor’s
Singing Club) ***
UK 2019
Opening October 8, 2020
Directed by: Peter Cattaneo
Writing credits: Rosanne
Flynn, Rachel Tunnard
Principal actors: Kristen
Scott Thomas, Sharon
Horgan, Jason Flemyng
From a small military base outside London, troops are
deploying to Afghanistan. Kate (Kristin Scott Thomas),
the commander’s wife, based on her husband’s rank, has
certain responsibilities for the welfare of the other spouses
and their families that live on base. Kate takes her position
very seriously. By contrast, Lisa (Sharon Horgan), who,
due to her husband’s position, inherits the task of keeping
everyone preoccupied with everything other than where
their loved ones are serving, likes to keep things loose. For
Lisa, having morning coffees together with no fixed agenda
is just fine. Kate, however, has other very specific ideas.
After a rather contentious coffee trying to set up activities to
please everyone, a favorite idea emerges—either a singing
club (Lisa) or choir (Kate). Both Kate and Lisa compete for
directing the singers and style of music, with their battles
providing some of the more humorous scenes.
Against backstories of grief, insecurity, love and forgiveness,
this light but heavy-hearted film may irritate you with
38 In Hamburg