Never Let Me Go (Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield, Keira Knightley) : Movie Review
April 1, 2011 by Jess Lomas
Filed under Movie Reviews, Movies
Based on the 2005 novel by Japanese-born, British writer Kazuo Ishiguro, Never Let Me Go has been called a modern sci-fi classic. I’d be more reluctant to use the word ‘classic’, but the film adaptation of a, in my opinion, overrated book, proved meditative and visually impressive.
Directed by Mark Romanek (One Hour Photo), the film, like the book, is divided into three sections and follows Ruth (Keira Knightley), Tommy (Andrew Garfield) and Kathy (Carey Mulligan), who begin as students at Hailsham, a privileged boarding school with a secret.
Students are encouraged to look after their health above all else and as they grow to learn their destiny they, and the audience, are asked to question what it really means to be human. While the science fiction element is present, the real focus of the film is the relationships between our narrator Kathy and her friends, including a much longed for intimate relationship with Tommy.
The students also experience an emotional journey of self discovery as they come to terms with their imposed fates.
Never Let Me Go is one of those films where it’s better to go in blind than read a whole lot about it. The central secret should be kept a secret, but not in the ‘Don’t tell people what Catfish is about’ way. Many have read Ishiguro’s beloved novel already, but those who haven’t will enjoy the film more without pre conceived ideas.
Despite solid performances from the three leads, all enjoying phenomenal success in their careers, the film ultimately lacks an emotional punch that ought to be there. Romanek is mostly experienced in music video directing, and though his foray into feature films with Robin William’s One Hour Photo was striking, he seems to have taken a step backwards with Never Let Me Go, letting the original source material do all the work for him.
Ishiguro’s novel will bring a large audience to the film, fans of Mulligan, Knightley and Garfield will also contribute to the audience, but Romanek’s direction will leave many disappointed.
Never Let Me Go : Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley
While the countryside settings, and indeed the characters’ fates, are bland this did not need to carry over into the story. The film is beautiful to watch, to admire the stunning cinematography by Adam Kimmel, but lacks momentum and in a last ditch effort to get a message across, literally tells you through narration what you’re meant to think after having watched it.
Never Let Me Go is a curiously meditative film watching experience, it is neither delightful nor repulsive, yet lingers uncomfortably in the middle ground, never surprising you and always delivering what you expect.
For these reasons it never reaches its full potential and thus exists as a easily watchable DVD film.
WATCH OUT FOR | RATING : 3 out of 5
