No laughing matter.

As horribly clichéd as it sounds, comedy and tragedy have always been intertwined. Now, I’m sure we’ve all heard the sentiment a million times before, so this is hardly Earth-shattering news, yet that doesn’t make it any less true.

As a lightning rod for tragedy, stand-up knows this pain more than most. Littered with heartbreak, depression, addiction, and death, stand-up comedy’s past and present hold a darkness that belies the laughter, offering a long list of fallen figures that would be impressive if it weren’t so heart-breaking.

From Lenny Bruce to John Belushi to Sam Kinison to Robin Williams, the comedy world has seen the tragic demise of many of its greats. But, for every overdose and untimely death, there are moments of reprieve, where ultimate tragedy is narrowly avoided. Enter Richard Lett.

With a promising career and the comedy world at his feet, Richard Lett’s unique, fiery brand of stand-up drew fans from across Canada and beyond. Yet, after years of drug and alcohol abuse, the once respected comedian sees his life slowly circle the drain, soon finding himself homeless, estranged from his daughter, and shunned by his community. With his life spiralling out of control, it would take a monumental effort and a huge dose of self-reflection for Richard to finally hit the road to redemption.

Fierce, forthright, and uncompromising, Richard Lett’s tragic demise seems almost inevitable barely a few minutes into Never Be Done. As he and director Roy Tighe are unceremoniously ejected from a Vancouver nightclub in the doc’s opening moments, there’s an instant sense of impending doom in the air, and it’s from here that we see the full extent of Lett’s self-destructive personality.

To this point, this abrasive personality had built Richard Lett a solid career as Canada’s answer to George Carlin, however, it would ultimately make him just as many enemies. As Never Be Done documents Richard’s barring from every club in town, it becomes abundantly clear that, from the moment we meet the stand-up, this reckless approach to life and comedy is well on its way to eating him alive.

For a character of Richard Lett’s level of abrasiveness, and for a story full of grinding tragedy, Never Be Done’s unflinching approach is a fitting one, as Roy Tighe avoids any temptation to sugar coat his subject. Although clearly intent on staying friendly with Lett, Tighe and his crew take a back seat for proceedings, and the result is as devastatingly affective as it is forthright.

There are no bells or whistles here. Never Be Done gets as low down and dirty with Richard as one might expect considering the man’s personality. Getting so up close and personal that you can practically smell the tragedy, Tighe stands back to observe, only interjecting when absolutely necessary, creating a thoroughly engrossing – if thoroughly gloomy – watch.

Like Richard himself, Never Be Done certainly isn’t the prettiest film going, yet you can’t take your eyes off it. Richard’s life is a car crash, no doubt, and the film is well constructed to capture this in its fullest, however, there’s no getting away from just how relentlessly depressing it is at times, as Richard’s life slowly but surely hits the skids. It is to the immense credit of Tighe and his team then that, despite the initial unrelenting despair, we’re never put off.

For much of the documentary, Richard is a thoroughly difficult man to root for. He’s an openly bigoted, casually racist, homophobic asshole, yet, despite this litany of reasons to dislike him, Never Be Done’s clever approach allows us enough leeway to stay by Richard’s side, even as things get seriously bleak.

This unexpected sympathy for a man who appears to revel in pushing others away, stems largely from his daughter, Breanna, who serves as an emotional anchor, not only in Richard’s life, but the film itself. Together with his best friend, Kathleen, who clearly has the patience of a saint, we gradually find a way into the previously impenetrable inner mechanisms of Richard Glen Lett.

Sweet and with a clear adoration for her father, Breanna’s introduction is a key turning point in the film, and while the change isn’t immediate, the moment she enters the picture, we’re given clear indication that there’s far more nuance to Richard’s situation than it first appears. Up until this point, and even for some time after Breanna arrives, Never Be Done is one hell of a gruelling watch.

As we follow Richard down the rabbit hole, there’s no getting away from just how punishing Never Be Done is for much of its running time. As fascinating as it is, having a front row seat for a man ruining himself and his career for the best part of an hour is not a particularly pleasant experience, however, the documentary is so well constructed that the ultimate payoff is absolutely worth it.

The film’s comeback narrative is certainly a familiar one, yet there’s no doubt that Never Be Done executes it very well. Sinking to the dark depths with Richard, as he finds himself truly down and out, before hitting us with the comedian’s eventual redemption, is incredibly satisfying, something made even more impactful by just how raw and unpretentious it is.

With the ability to keep us hooked even in Richard’s darkest and most unlikeable moments, Roy Tighe has played a blinder, as he constructs a simple but effective narrative without ever overplaying his hand. And, ultimately, this is where Never Be Done truly triumphs.

Like all good documentaries, Never Be Done gets us deep into its subject’s life without becoming the centre of attention. Under such circumstances, many filmmakers may feel the need to overplay the story’s quirks and put an unnecessary artistic stamp on things, however, Roy Tighe and his team wisely step back and allow Richard Lett’s ramshackle, but undoubtedly fascinating, life play out in front of us, gently prodding our emotions without ever forcing things.

Cautionary but never preachy, Never Be Done is a perfectly weighted tale of comedy, tragedy, and redemption. Unwilling to pull punches, director Roy Tighe lays bare the frailty of the human condition and the ravages of addiction, yet shows us the power of the second chance and the need to treasure every moment of our brief existence. While Never Be Done’s no-frills approach and Richard Lett’s unapologetic abrasiveness make for tough viewing, the comeback arc at the film’s heart, as Richard fights tooth and nail for sobriety and his daughter, delivers a thoroughly rewarding punchline.

Never Be Done: The Richard Glen Lett Story is available to rent/buy from Amazon Prime, iTunes, Vimeo & Google Play among many others.