Never Steady, Never Still 2018

Judy and her husband Ed live in a secluded community beside Stuart Lake in British Columbia, raising their 18-year-old son Jamie. Judy has been battling Parkinson’s disease for 19 years out of their 23-year marriage, with Ed dedicatedly serving as her caregiver, assisting her with everyday tasks like dressing and taking her medication. Despite her condition, Judy strives to maintain a semblance of normalcy by attending a weekly Parkinson’s support group, aiming to cope with her illness as best as she can. Meanwhile, Jamie often spends his time with his best friend Danny, engaging in activities like smoking and playing hockey. However, when Danny heads off to college, Jamie feels lost, grappling with the reality of his mother’s illness while trying to navigate the loneliness of their fading friendship highlighted by Danny’s dwindling phone calls. Encouraged by Ed, Jamie decides to take up work in the Alberta oil fields.

However, he quickly finds the rugged environment challenging as he struggles to fit in among his boastful co-workers who constantly discuss topics that unsettle him, including sex and violence, and unyieldingly tease him. As he begins to face his own identity and sexuality, he experiences fleeting thoughts about sharing an intimate moment with Danny. Tragedy strikes when Judy returns from her support group one afternoon to discover Ed face down in the water, having succumbed to a heart attack. Jamie returns home for the funeral and offers to care for Judy, yet she urges him to continue pursuing his own life. When questioned about his job satisfaction, Jamie fabricates a response. In the absence of Ed, Judy encounters mounting obstacles in her daily life, yet she fiercely fights to preserve her independence. She often rises early to sit in a boat on the lake, seeking a connection with Ed as she reflects on their time together.

During a trip into town, Judy meets Kaly, a pregnant 17-year-old cashier, who informs her of a home delivery service offered by the store—a critical resource as Judy faces challenges driving due to her erratic behavior stemming from missing her medication. After being pulled over by the police, Judy is advised to refrain from driving until she has taken her pills; the arrival of winter exacerbates her difficulties with chores like chopping firewood, leading her to eventually rely on deliveries for her groceries. As their bond grows, Kaly seeks advice from Judy regarding her upcoming motherhood.

In the wake of his father’s death, Jamie spirals into a dark place, turning to cocaine after discovering it on the job site left by his supervisor Daryl. Following an altercation instigated by Daryl’s criticism of Jamie’s work speed, Jamie refuses to take a mandatory drug test and walks away from his employment. In search of solace, he pays a prostitute for a brief encounter, only to find himself unsatisfied, lashing out in frustration by destroying his car’s windshield. He later meets Kaly during one of her deliveries to his home. Judy asks Jamie to retrieve her medication, and while he is in town, he stops by to chat with Kaly, curious about her baby’s father who is working out of town, causing concern for her. Eventually, Jamie persuades Kaly to meet him after work, where they share vulnerable conversations about life, particularly how difficult it is for him to see his mother decline.

In a moment of clarity and exploration of his feelings, he admits his confusion and shares his thoughts about his attraction to Danny. Kaly responds by kissing him, leading to an intimate encounter in his car, where he finds unexpected enjoyment. However, upon returning home, Jamie discovers the house shrouded in darkness. As he moves to find Judy, she calls to him from the bathroom, where he finds her unable to escape from a cold bath due to neglecting her medication. After he carries her to bed and helps her dress, emotions run high as Jamie breaks down, wishing he had been more timely in providing her medication. In a touching exchange, Judy reassures Jamie, stating that she should be the one supporting him. They embrace, promising to support each other in their dark times. As dawn arrives, Judy wakes early and ventures to the icy lake to converse with Ed, wishing him a Merry Christmas, holding on to the memories that bond them forever.