Never Be Done: The Richard Glen Lett Story

This story is powerful, honest, real, raw, and painful to watch at times (in the best way possible). Watching this man's fall, and then see him stand back up is a refreshing look at redemption, and a step towards changing the stigma of addiction and alcoholism. I respect that Roy Tighe remained strong in filming Richard without stealing his bottom from him; Roy kept a boundary there which helped Richard in the long run. Seeing who Richard is now gives hope to those who are still sick and suffering from this disease, showing that there IS a way out.

This is one of those documentaries, like Hoop Dreams, where I found myself marveling that the filmmaker was there as extraordinary events played out. It's pretty rare to get to witness someone sink to the depths of alcoholism, much less to come out the other side, changed. As a culture, we have a long way to go to understand what addiction is, where it comes from, and how it plays out, and what any of us can do to support addicts. This doc provides a window into a story that's played out by millions of people every day. Whether you're an addict or not, we all benefit from the compassion this story elicits.

Never Be Done is a roller-coaster ride of emotions that I cannot find all the words to explain. From heartbreaking moments to heartfelt, the raw journey is captured with every moment within the film which strikes the heart. A definite must watch.

Richard walks the tightrope of insanity in an attempt to keep from falling into the pits of alcoholic despair and homelessness. His daughter and his comedy seem to be the last thread of hope in an otherwise grave and hopeless situation. But even those cannot save him from fate. With the writing literally on the wall for Richard he still cannot see the problem (himself) let alone any solution. In an attempt to cling to the last rung of society, he feels he is unqualified to even participate in Alcoholics Anonymous. Banished from comedy clubs, kicked out of his apartment, we actually get to watch Richard bottom out. It is a rare glimpse of the train actually coming off the tracks. This rock bottom however becomes the solid foundation which Richard begins to rebuild his life. This humble redemption story is raw, heart felt, and is a fascinating look at the life of Richard Lett. Spectacular journey!

In a time when "cancel culture" is at its peak, this film serves as a welcome reminder that we still have room for redemption and forgiveness in our society. I didn't know who Richard Lett was before this film, but don't let that stop you from checking out this prolific documentary.

You learn that Richard is a Canadian comedian who built a career on both his sharp wit and infamous irreverence. We are introduced to him at a time when both his professional and personal life are spiraling out of his control. The documentary pulls no punches and never hides from the problematic nature of its main subject. Instead it puts all his flaws on display and lets you decide on how to feel about this complicated man.

The filmmakers do an exceptional job of navigating the mix of archival footage and the in-person raw follow-along they did with Richard. This sets up such a wonderful counterweight to the footage they present at the end. We even watch as the director, Roy Tighe, is sucked into the story himself and must navigate some tense moments while continuing to remain impartial. This only serves to elevate the film as we see him become increasingly invested in Richard's story.

I don't want to say much more for fear of spoiling the film for you, but (just as the title implies) the journey doesn't end there. We get to see what happens when you never give up on hope and work towards changing yourself for the better. Kudos to all those involved.