Never Rarely Sometimes Always

Never Rarely Sometimes Always is a 2020 drama film written and directed by Eliza Hittman. It stars Sidney Flanigan, Talia Ryder, Théodore Pellerin, Ryan Eggold and Sharon Van Etten. It had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2020. It was also selected to compete for the Golden Bear in the main competition section at the 70th Berlin International Film Festival, where it won the Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize.[4][5][6]

Not to be confused with Sometimes Always Never.

Never Rarely Sometimes Always
Theatrical release poster
Directed byEliza Hittman
Produced by
Written byEliza Hittman
Starring
Music byJulia Holter
CinematographyHélène Louvart
Edited byScott Cummings
Production
companies
Distributed byFocus Features
Release date
  • January 24, 2020 (2020-01-24) (Sundance)
  • March 13, 2020 (2020-03-13) (United States)
Running time
101 minutes
Country
  • United States
  • United Kingdom
LanguageEnglish
Budget<$5 million[1]
Box office$407,807[2][3]

The film was released in the United States on March 13, 2020, by Focus Features. It received widespread acclaim from critics.

Plot

17-year-old Autumn Callahan suspects she is pregnant and goes to a crisis pregnancy center. At the center, she takes a drug store test that confirms that she is 10 weeks pregnant. Ambivalent on her way forward, she is given literature on adoption and is shown an anti-abortion video.

After realizing that she is unable to get an abortion in Pennsylvania without parental consent, she tries to induce a miscarriage by swallowing pills and punching herself in the stomach. When those methods fail, she confides in her cousin, Skylar, that she is pregnant. Skylar steals cash from the grocery store where they work, and the two buy tickets to New York City.

On the bus they meet Jasper, a young man who is persistently interested in Skylar even though she tries to blow him off.

At the Planned Parenthood clinic, Autumn learns that the crisis pregnancy center lied to her about how far along she was and that she is actually 18 weeks pregnant. Though she is still able to get an abortion, she must go to a secondary clinic the following morning in order to have the abortion performed.

Autumn and Skylar spend an uncomfortable night riding the subway and playing games at an arcade. The following morning at the clinic, Autumn learns that a second-trimester abortion is a two-day procedure and that paying for the abortion will wipe out most of her funds. The counselor also asks her a series of questions about her sexual partners which reveal that Autumn's partners have been physically and sexually abusive.

Out of money, Skylar realizes the two have no way of going home. As Autumn refuses to let Skylar call either of their mothers, Skylar reaches out to Jasper, who takes them bowling and to karaoke. At the end of the night, Skylar asks Jasper to loan them the money for their bus tickets, and he agrees. Skylar leaves with Jasper to find an ATM, and Autumn later goes looking for them. She finds them kissing. Realizing Skylar is only going along with it for the loan, Autumn discreetly grabs Skylar's hand to comfort her.

In the morning, Autumn goes to her appointment and has the abortion. Autumn and Skylar go to a restaurant, where Skylar asks her questions about the procedure, but Autumn remains vague. The two ride a bus back to Pennsylvania.

Cast

Production

In April 2019, it was announced Sidney Flanigan, Talia Ryder, Théodore Pellerin, Ryan Eggold and Sharon Van Etten had joined the cast of the film, with Eliza Hittman directing from a screenplay she wrote. Adele Romanski and Sara Murphy produced the film under their Pastel Productions banner, while Rose Garnett, Tim Headington, Elika Portnoy and Alex Orlovsky executive produced the film under their BBC Films and Tango Entertainment banners respectively. Focus Features was slated to distribute.[7]

Principal photography began in February 2019.[8]

Release

Never Rarely Sometimes Always had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 24, 2020.[9] It was released in the United States on March 13, 2020.[10] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the film was released on video on demand on April 3, 2020.[11] Focus debated re-releasing the film theatrically but was concerned about competition once theaters re-opened.[12] It was released through video on demand in the United Kingdom on May 13, 2020, after being initially planned for a theatrical release.[13]

Reception

In theaters, Never Rarely Sometimes Always grossed $16,565.[14]

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 99% based on 211 reviews, and an average rating of 8.6/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Powerfully acted and directed, Never Rarely Sometimes Always reaffirms writer-director Eliza Hittman as a filmmaker of uncommon sensitivity and grace."[15] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 91 out of 100, based on 34 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[16]

Accolades
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Sundance Film Festival February 1, 2020 U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award: Neo-Realism Eliza Hittman Won [17]
U.S. Dramatic Competition Grand Jury Prize Nominated
Berlin International Film Festival March 1, 2020 Golden Bear Nominated [18]
Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize Won
Boston Society of Film Critics Awards December 13, 2020 Best Actress Sidney Flanigan Won [19]
IndieWire Critics Poll December 14, 2020 Best Film Never Rarely Sometimes Always Runner-up [20]
Best Director Eliza Hittman 3rd Place
Best Cinematography Hélène Louvart 5th Place
Best Screenplay Eliza Hittman 3rd Place
New York Film Critics Circle Awards December 18, 2020 Best Actress Sidney Flanigan Won [21]
Best Screenplay Eliza Hittman Won
Los Angeles Film Critics Assocation December 20, 2020 Best Screenplay Runner-up [22]
Florida Film Critics Circle December 21, 2020 Breakout Award Sidney Flanigan Won [23]
Chicago Film Critics Association December 21, 2020 Most Promising Performer Won [24]
Best Original Screenplay Eliza Hittman Won
Alliance of Women Film Journalists January 4, 2021 Best Film Never Rarely Sometimes Always Nominated [25]
Best Woman Director Eliza Hittman Nominated
Best Woman’s Screenwriter Nominated
Best Woman’s Breakthrough Performance Sidney Flanigan Won
National Society of Film Critics January 9, 2021 Best Actress 3rd Place [26]
Best Screenplay Eliza Hittman Won
Best Film Never Rarely Sometimes Always 3rd Place
San Diego Film Critics Society Awards January 11, 2021 Breakthrough Artist Sidney Flanigan Nominated [27]
Gotham Awards January 11, 2021 Best Feature Never Rarely Sometimes Always Nominated [28]
Breakthrough Actor Sidney Flanigan Nominated
St. Louis Film Critics Association Awards January 17, 2021 Best Scene Never Rarely Sometimes Always Nominated [29]
San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle January 18, 2021 Best Picture Nominated [30]
Best Director Eliza Hittman Nominated
Best Original Screenplay Nominated
Best Actress Sidney Flanigan Nominated
Houston Film Critics Society January 18, 2021 Best Picture Never Rarely Sometimes Always Nominated [31]
Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role Sidney Flanigan Nominated
Online Film Critics Society January 25, 2021 Best Picture Never Rarely Sometimes Always 4th Place [32]
[33]
Best Director Eliza Hittman Nominated
Best Actress Sidney Flanigan Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Talia Ryder Nominated
Best Original Screenplay Eliza Hittman Nominated
National Board of Review January 26, 2021 Top 10 Independent Films Never Rarely Sometimes Always Won [34]
Breakthrough Performance Sidney Flanigan Won
New York Film Critics Online January 26, 2021 Top 10 Films Never Rarely Sometimes Always Won [35]
Hollywood Music in Media Awards January 27, 2021 Original Song – Independent Film Sharon Van Etten (for "Staring At A Mountain") Nominated [36]
British Independent Film Awards February 18, 2021 Best International Independent Film Never Rarely Sometimes Always Pending [37]
Hollywood Critics Association March 5, 2021 Standout Performance by an Actor or Actress 23 or Under Sidney Flanigan Won [38]
Best Female Director Eliza Hittman Pending
Film Independent Spirit Awards April 22, 2021 Best Feature Never Rarely Sometimes Always Pending [39]
Best Director Eliza Hittman Pending
Best Female Lead Sidney Flanigan Pending
Best Supporting Female Talia Ryder Pending
Best Screenplay Eliza Hittman Pending
Best Cinematography Hélène Louvart Pending
Best Editing Scott Cummings Pending

References
  1. Mitchell, Wendy (May 13, 2020). "Eliza Hittman's eight-year journey to make 'Never Rarely Sometimes Always'". Screen Daily. Retrieved January 7, 2021. Working on a production budget of less than $5m [...].
  2. "Never Rarely Sometimes Always (2020)". The Numbers. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  3. "Never Rarely Sometimes Always (2020)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  4. "The 70th Berlinale Competition and Further Films to Complete the Berlinale Special". Berlinale. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  5. Dams, Tim (January 29, 2020). "Berlin Competition Lineup Revealed: Sally Potter, Kelly Reichardt, Eliza Hittman, Abel Ferrara". Variety. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  6. Motamayor, Rafael (February 29, 2020). "'There Is No Evil', 'Never Rarely Sometimes Always' Win Big At The Berlin Film Festival". The Playlist. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
  7. Wiseman, Andreas (April 15, 2019). "Focus Features, 'Moonlight' Outfit Pastel & BBC Films Team For Eliza Hittman Drama 'Never Rarely Sometimes Always'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  8. "Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Always". Backstage.com. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  9. Siegel, Tatiana (December 4, 2019). "Sundance Unveils Female-Powered Lineup Featuring Taylor Swift, Gloria Steinem, Abortion Road Trip Drama". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  10. Obenson, Tambay (January 31, 2020). "'Never Rarely Sometimes Always': Eliza Hittman Was Inspired by the Flaws of '4 Months, 3 Weeks, and 2 Days'". IndieWire. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  11. Thompson, Anne (March 27, 2020). "Focus Features Sends 'Never Rarely Sometimes Always' Straight to Premium on Demand — Exclusive". IndieWire. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  12. Asch, Mark (March 20, 2020). "Reaching Out: Eliza Hittman, Filmmaker". Film Comment. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  13. Rosser, Michael (April 17, 2020). "Universal, Focus set UK digital release for 'Never Rarely Sometimes Always'". Screen International. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  14. "Box Office Mojo".
  15. "Never Rarely Sometimes Always (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  16. "Never Rarely Sometimes Always Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
  17. Hipes, Patrick (February 1, 2020). "Sundance Film Festival Awards: 'Minari' Scores Double Top Honors – The Complete Winners List". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  18. "The Awards of the 70th Berlin International Film Festival" (PDF). Berlinale. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
  19. Davis, Clayton (December 13, 2020). "'Nomadland' Named Best Picture at Boston Society of Film Critics Awards, Paul Raci and Yuh-jung Youn Among Winners". Variety. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  20. Blauvelt, Christian; Kohn, Eric (December 14, 2020). "2020 Critics Poll: The Best Films and Performances According to Over 200 Critics from Around the World". IndieWire. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  21. Davis, Clayton (December 18, 2020). "New York Film Critics Circle Winners Full List: 'First Cow' Takes Top Prize". Variety. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  22. Sheehan, Paul (December 20, 2020). "Los Angeles Film Critics Association winners come with asterisk: LAFCA didn't consider all the Oscar contenders". GoldDerby. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  23. Neglia, Matt (December 21, 2020). "The 2020 Florida Film Critics Circle (FFCC) Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  24. Jevens, Darel (December 21, 2020). "Chicago critics choose 'Nomadland' as 2020's best movie". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  25. Davis, Clayton (January 4, 2021). "'Nomadland' Triumphs at Alliance of Women Film Journalists Awards (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  26. Pond, Steve (January 9, 2021). "'Nomadland' Named Best Film by National Society of Film Critics". TheWrap. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  27. "San Diego Film Critics Society 2020 Awards Nominations". San Diego Film Critics. January 8, 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  28. "Nominations Announced for 30th IFP Gotham Awards". Independent Filmmaker Project. November 12, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
  29. "2020 StLFCA Annual Award Nominees". St. Louis Film Critics Association. January 11, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  30. Anderson, Erik (January 15, 2021). "San Francisco Film Critics nominations: 'Nomadland' leads with 7". AwardsWatch. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  31. Jamieson, Doug (January 12, 2021). "Minari Leads Houston Film Critics Society Nominations". Filmotomy. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  32. Ramos, Dino-Ray (January 25, 2021). "Online Films Critics Society Unveils Annual Film Awards Recipients, Names 'Nomadland' Best Picture". Deadline. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  33. "2020 AWARDS (24TH ANNUAL)". Online Film Critics Society. January 19, 2021. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  34. Davis, Clayton (January 26, 2021). "National Board of Review Names 'Da 5 Bloods' Best Picture, Spike Lee Becomes Second Black Director Winner". Variety. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  35. Davis, Clayton (January 26, 2021). "'Minari' Tops New York Film Critics Online Awards, Ellen Burstyn and Yuh-Jung Youn Tie for Supporting Actress (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  36. Willman, Chris (January 15, 2021). "Hollywood Music in Media Awards Announces 2021 Nominees; Kenny Loggins Set for Lifetime Honor (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  37. Ramachandran, Naman (December 9, 2020). "'Saint Maud,' 'His House,' 'Rocks' Lead British Independent Film Awards Nominations". Variety. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  38. Magidson, Joel (December 21, 2020). "The Hollywood Critics Association Releases Their Initial Wave Of Honorary Awards". HollywoodNews. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  39. Sharf, Zack (January 26, 2021). "2021 Spirit Awards Nominations List: 'Never Rarely' Dominates with 7 Noms, 'Minari' Strong". IndieWire. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
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