By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 2 cats
Director: Eric Schaeffer
Starring: Bill Duke | Caroline Aaron | Jeffrey Tambor | Jill Clayburgh | Lisa Rabe
Country: united_states
Year: 2002
Running time: 98
IMDB: http://us.imdb.com/Details?0244094
Laura says: “Schaeffer’s screenplay has an occasional glimmer of originality (the ‘talking point’ napkin Christopher draws up for Grace on their first date) and good dialogue, although it is telling that the dialogue improves dramatically with the level of performer delivering it. Contrived is the best word to describe Schaeffer’s writing, however. A sex-reversed knight in shining armor theme is carried first with a strap on dildo and s&m mask, then later with the real thing and is awkwardly plopped onto the story. Characters frequently act unbelievably, such as when Grace’s daughter (Lisa Rabe, Clayburgh’s real life daughter) returns home from school and barges into her mother’s bedroom with a new boyfriend in tow. They even continue to stand and stare when it is evident that Grace is not alone.
“Schaeffer’s direction is of the low budget, let’s get this on film and move on variety. Early on, he leaves in an out of focus pan of Christopher’s kitchen cabinets that serves no purpose other than to reflect the inexperience of Director of Photography Thom Ostrowski. Interiors are cramped and dingy, with characters huddled together. The strap-on dildo scene, which initially is funny, is allowed to carry on with increasingly poor payoff.
“Jeffrey Tambor gives a moving performance as a lonely older man who stubbornly continues to behave in a manner that will keep him that way. While the script paints him as the cliched commitment phobic male, Tambor makes Christopher’s brave declaration of love to Grace truly moving. He also has great chemistry with Bill Duke, who is hilarious deadpan as the well meaning friend who points out the obvious.” 2 cats
For Laura’s complete review: “http://www.reelingreviews.com/neveragain.htm”
Robin says: “Clayburgh’s Grace has a support mechanism with her best friends Elaine (Caroline Aaron) and Natasha (Sandy Duncan) and, as such, isn’t given quite the wings that Tambor has to fly with in her role. Grace is a smart, thoughtful woman who has, until she meets Christopher, resigned herself to her self-imposed no sexual status. The actress does a fine job portraying a woman that has given up on the idea and possibility of ever having a romance again.
“Bill Duke gives the best, richest performance as the taciturn Earl, a man who holds a great deal of affection for his friend, Christopher, and does his best to help guide the man to happiness. Michael McKean gives a humorous and sad perf as a transvestite that Christopher seeks out to resolve his confused sexuality. Aaron and Duncan play the part of the Greek chorus for Grace as they, too, try to guide their friend to find love and romance.
“It’s fortunate that the actors are able to put a believable spin on their characters as the screenplay, by Schaeffer, contains many inane moments that are supposed to be funny and fail. Grace’s blind date with a little person; Christopher’s inept attempt to pick up a male partner at the gay bar; an extended, not funny sequence involving a strap-on dildo and a B&D mask; Grace and Christopher caught in flagrante delicto by her home-from-college daughter; these scenes are, generally, all carried on far too long so any humor is lost and the gag goes flat. Shoot the screenwriter for this. Techs are unremarkable.
“To Schaeffer’s credit, stories about middle aged romance are not tumbling out of Hollywood or independent film so I must laud the helmer/scribe for his intent. Unfortunately, the good and different idea is not handled well and, except for the fine star performances, there is little else to recommend NEVER AGAIN.” 2 cats
For Robin’s complete review: “http://www.reelingreviews.com/neveragain.htm”