| Never Be Done: The Richard Glen Lett Story (2020) | |
|---|---|
 |
Rating: 8.8/10 (54 votes) Director: Roy Tighe Writer: N/A Stars: Richard Lett, Roy Tighe, Graeme Morgan Runtime: 78 min Rated: N/A Genre: Documentary, Biography, Comedy Released: 16 Jun 2020 |
| Plot: Filmed with candid intimacy and filled with archival footage and poignant testimonials, this is a raw and unflinching documentary about the life and times of Richard Lett, who lost it all and lived to tell the tale. | |
A fascinating, brutal, and heartfelt exploration of self destruction and redemption. Richard Lett is a stand-up comic who goes from being successful and well known for his abrasive and provocative nature, to a has-been, off the radar, struggling to get by, and consumed by addiction.
The documentary begins pretty much as the self destruction sets in, and follows Lett as he battles cancer, grows increasingly addicted to alcohol and drugs, and starts to push everyone away. First the audiences, his on-stage attitude getting more and more abrasive, then the venues who no longer want him booked in, then friends, family, and even the documentary crew. When he winds up evicted, the full level of his spiral down is evident.
But, as his daughter – the one person in his life who gives him a reason to turn himself around – highlights, you have to hit rock bottom before you can reclaim who you are. The back end of the film picks up 6 years later, and catches up with a very changed man, who is getting back on track, taking a new approach to his comedy, and using his life experiences to guide him on a better path.
Whether you know who Lett is or not, this is a powerful journey captured in all its brutal intimacy by the camera.
