Although all of life's transitions are by definition rocky, age 50 seems to have earned a particularly glaring reputation. Folks at this point in time have to square off with all the honesty they can muster with their ample failings and then come up with the courage to change. Intimate relationships often provide the workshop for this attempt at self-transformation. Most us do not relish changing at this stage in life. We usually have to be dragged there kicking and screaming.
Fifty-three year old Christopher (Jeffrey Tambor) is a quiet exterminator in Manhattan who loves to play jazz with his buddy Earl (Bill Duke) late in the evening at clubs. Although he was married 30 years ago and has dated many women over the years, he has very little confidence in his ability to stay in a committed relationship. After going to bed with a young woman, Christopher is unable to perform. That evening, he has a dream of sex with a man. Perhaps he's been on the wrong track all along. This uneasy middle-ager quells his suspicions in a brief encounter with a transvestite and a later trip to a gay bar.
Meanwhile, divorcee Grace Minor (Jill Clayburgh) is a social worker whose daughter has just started college. Her two best friends (Caroline Aaron and Sandy Duncan) encourage her to start dating again since she hasn't had any sex for years. Through a series of strange circumstances, Grace meets Christopher. It's hard to say which of these singletons is more uneasy as they circle around each other. They both claim to want a no-strings-attached relationship.
Much to their mutual surprise, Christopher and Grace have great sex together. And they both evidence an interest in expanding their repertoire of techniques in bed. This leads to one of the most hilarious scenes in the film when Grace is unable to remove a large rubber phallus when Christopher shows up at her place unannounced with his mother in tow.
Writer and director Eric Schaeffer focused on sexual politics in his first two films: My Life's in Transition and If Lucy Fell. Thanks to the delightful and engaging performances by Jeffrey Tambor and Jill Clayburgh, this romantic comedy really percolates. Homespun philosopher Sam Levinson has observed: "Sex is a three-letter word which sometimes needs some old-fashioned four-letter words to convey its full meaning; words like help, give, care and love." Never Again explores this theme as these two endearing individuals struggle with their fears and foibles as they try to change their ways in their fifties.
