Film Review: "Never Be Done" is a Hard But Necessary Watch
“The great thing about stand-up is the opportunity to speak your truth. And do it in a way that entertains people,” Canadian stand-up comedian Richard Glen Lett says this to director Roy Tighe in the documentary film, Never Be Done: The Richard Glen Lett Story.
Stand-up comedy is an intriguing art form. Unlike the fine arts or music, stand-up comedy exposes the performer for all to see. With only a stage, a microphone, and a pedestal, stand-up comics get the opportunity to tell their stories in humorous and sometimes cringe-worthy ways. Comedians such as Wanda Sykes and Ali Wong use their platform to put a mirror up to themselves, our society, and the world at large. But it is also an industry that elevates problematic figures like noted sexual predator Louis C.K. and racist insult comic Shane Gills. By propping these artists, stand-up comedy gives these people permission to say and do harmful things, regardless of how it makes others feel. Interestingly enough, Tighe’s documentary tactfully tackles this very issue as he profiles Lett.
Filmed for seven years, Never Be Done: The Richard Glen Lett Story follows the rise, fall, and recovery of the Canadian stand-up comic. Predominantly featured in the Vancouver comedy scene, Lett is known for his offensive politically incorrect humor. From singing a ballad about a serial killer to making offensive comments about women’s appearances, Lett always finds a way to offend his audience. Sadly, the troubled comedian’s life begins to spiral as he succumbs to alcoholism, drug addiction, and mental illness. His behavior becomes so problematic, comedy clubs all over Vancouver ban him from their establishments. To make matters worse, Lett gets kicked out of his apartment and becomes homeless. Now at a crossroads, the comic must learn to take responsibility for his actions as he recovers from a lifetime of hardships and pain.
Along the way, we meet several people who play essential parts in Lett’s life, including his longtime friend Kathleen Bolton, his daughter Breanna Lett, and the owner of Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club, Mark Bresslin. These people help tell the story of how Lett went from self-destructive alcoholic to insightful comedian.
In terms of the subject, Richard Lett is not an easy person to root for in this documentary. At the beginning of the film, we see the rude comic say sexist comments to women while performing on the stage, yell and write homophobic slurs towards any man he deems unworthy, and call black men the N-word as his landlord kicks him out. He even acts antagonistic towards his film crew. But despite his extremely problematic behavior, one can not help but pity the middle-aged white man. Lett’s conduct is horrific, but his actions stem from his mental illness, his addictions, and his work environment. And by shining a light on people like Lett, we get an in-depth look into how bad people can work towards redemption. Watching a man, especially an older white man, deal with the consequences of his actions, is not only refreshing but necessary.
And speaking of the controversial figure, Roy Tighe does a solid job of filming his subject’s life. Stories like Lett’s have a track record of feeling exploitive. But in Tighe’s hands, the documentary depicts Lett’s tragedy with a level of compassion and sympathy that is rare for people like him. Instead of telling us who Lett is, the director shows it through archival footage and interviews with family members, friends, and comedians. They show that Lett is a person with real demons and problems, like everyone else. However, the editing can get a bit jarring at times, particularly with the rapid cuts. But thanks to the pacing, the director sets a clear road to Lett’s sobriety and eventual redemption.
It is easy for us to judge Lett for his toxic behavior, but we have to admit that he is part of an industry that puts problematic people on a pedestal. As Lett previously stated, stand-up comedy gives people, especially people from marginalized groups, the ability to tell their truth. However, it is also an industry that has sexist, homophobic, and racist elements. Just look at the way Louis C.K. handles his sexual assault allegations. Rather than owning up to his mistakes, he doubles down on them with the backing of his peers. Notably, the documentary tackles this issue by showing us the worst and best aspects of Lett’s profession. Towards the end of the film, Lett not only admits the toxic elements of his job but proves that there are ways to improve his workplace. By discussing issues such as mental illness, alcoholism, and homelessness in his set, Lett gives voice to the voiceless.
That said, the film needs to highlight Lett’s — and his industry’s — homophobia and racism more. Though we see Lett address his views on women, we never see how his comedy affected people from the LGBTQ+ and black community. Perhaps a few more talking heads from BIPOC and queer comedians might make the film much stronger.
For a first-time feature documentarian, Tighe manages to profile Lett’s life story while tackling the systematic problems of the stand-up comedy scene with sincerity and care. Hopefully, Lett’s tale of overcoming homelessness and alcohol addiction will inspire others to take control of their lives. If a person like Lett can find peace and awareness while performing on the stage, then perhaps there is hope for us too.
image And Video By Never Be done
- - -
How to Support Hi, Phylecia: Like, follow, or share my work on Twitter or Instagram. And please feel free to buy me a coffee on Ko-fi. Your contributions allow me to work on this blog.
