Never Down

Never Down is a middling low-budget character study that uses a variety of editing techniques—split-screen, dissolves, superimpositions—to convey its simple story of a Latino ex-con (Robert La Sardo) who would like to be granted access to his young daughter by his ex (Mary Kelsey). The film’s oddest aspect are two guest-star cameos that occur about midway through: filmmaker James Toback, appearing as himself (proclaimed as the “god of independent film” by a character) and, even stranger, the late, great Kurt Vonnegut Jr. as a shadowy benefactor who offers kind words to our hero and his daughter.

Shelf Talk: Vonnegut fans will be drawn in by the author’s name but will be disappointed to find he has only a 2½-minute role. Otherwise, Never Down should be targeted to Latin viewers and renters looking for an indie title that most likely won’t be showing up on the arts networks anytime soon.