Documentary Review: 'Never Be Done: The Richard Glen Lett Story'

In this documentary that covers events spanning seven years, we follow the story of Canadian stand-up comedian Richard Glen Lett, who garnered fans and controversy alike for his crude and often offensive brand of humor. As the documentary progresses, we're taken along for the ride as Lett's alcohol and drug addictions send his career--and life--into a tailspin. As Lett hits rock bottom, it's through the encouragement of his friends and family that he begins to get back on his feet--and back to the stage that he loves.

When I first delved into Never Be Done, I didn't have high hopes. The initial pacing was sluggish, the comic bit opening the film had me wary about its lead star's supposed comedic strength, and Richard Glen Lett himself started giving me My Life Over the Top flashbacks in regards to unlikable documentary subjects. With his brand of humor being as casually crass and offensive as it gets, it's bound to turn some away from Never Be Done. Lett's most problematic moments of the documentary would definitely be his uses of homophobic and (in one instance) racist slurs, as well as his admission to having committed sexual assault during the lower points of his breakdown. The latter point never being brought up after Lett's blink-and-you'll-miss-it admission only adds fuel to the fire.

(One thing I would definitely change about Never Be Done if I could would be the lack of attention this aspect of Lett's downward spiral is given. Had the ramifications of these actions or how Lett intended to redeem himself for them were explored, this heated admission wouldn't feel so haphazardly handled. But that said, given the context in which Lett makes this claim, there's a bit of ambiguity as to whether or not such events actually happened. Overall, though, it's a preventable and disconcerting gray area)

But once you get past the documentary's slow and occasionally trying start, Never Be Done has a worthwhile story to tell that spares it further comparison to My Life Over the Top. As the film enters its midpoint, we're allowed to see the broken and unstable side of Lett--a side he attempts to keep hidden beneath his brash jokes and boisterous personality. Whenever the documentary centers around the more personal aspects of Lett's life, this facade fades away and a humanized--and considerably more likable--side of Lett is put in the spotlight. Notably heartfelt moments include Lett opening up about his struggles with addiction and a cancer diagnosis, and any moment centering on his relationship with his supportive daughter Breanna. As a whole, Never Be Done's second half more than makes up for the film's first half lingering for too long on detailing Lett's history as a controversial and unsavory comedian.

The documentary's conclusion is what really ties Never Be Done together. Throughout the final act of the film, we follow Lett as he goes from hitting rock bottom to finding his way back through rehab and the support of his loved ones. Through this finale, the documentary's uncomfortable start in regards to Lett's sense of humor makes more sense: it serves to act as the beginning of Lett's documented rise to redemption. By starting the documentary with Lett making less-than-appealing jokes and lashing out at others as he becomes further unraveled, seeing him get the help he needs and atone for his past behavior is more than satisfying. In addition to letting us see Lett kick his vices and make amends with his daughter and ex-wife, we also witness how Lett's humor changed after his recovery. Now, he's found a way to maintain his natural penchant for humor while also channeling it into a good cause: spreading awareness of addiction and men's health--two topics that could always use more coverage.

While it doesn't open on a high note, Never Be Done recovers from its bumpy beginning and emerges as a strong documentary about overcoming personal challenges and making something good out of your darker experiences. With our current nationwide predicament, such a message couldn't be more timely. Lett's more obscene and problematic moments at the start of Never Be Done help to solidify the transformation we see him undertake as the documentary presses on. If you like inspirational documentaries with a personal flair, give Never Be Done a look. Just be prepared for a less conventional tale of redemption and rising above the odds.

Score: 7 out of 10 serial killer ballads.