Review of Never Let Me Go (2010) by Chromate — 20 Dec 2021

I wonder how a movie can feel fast paced yet drag on at the same time. Probably because this film might have a storyline, but it doesn't have a plot. What I mean by this is that the film unravels in a sequence of time jumps between main characters Ruth, Tommy, and Kathy's childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood, but it hard to see the relevance of each time frame when the characters don't develop-- and so the connection between points on a story line to the overarching plot is lost.

Their lack of growth could be intentional to highlight the fact that they are purposefully underdeveloped, but writers give no explanation to their reluctance to break free after "the horrible truth of their true purpose is revealed to them," like the synthesis describes.

This is a theme that I noticed throughout the film. Each of the characters, with possible exception to Ruth, don't take influence from anything or anyone around them. When Ruth is the extroverted friend, she has no effect on introverts Tommy and Kathy.

This makes it hard to see the relationships between these "best friends," and why they are so close. It begs me to question, why have the character of Ruth anyways? She "keeps" Tommy and Kathy away from each other, but they don't seem to keep their distance.

And when Tommy expresses the indifference in his feelings for Ruth, he doesn't do anything about it. Another theme that confuses me. First, the characters aren't even forced to experience thrill in the adventure of learning the truth themselves when their teacher, Ms.

Lucy, tells them flat out. But still, they don't do anything about it? It would've been easier to accept if there was a reason, but the fact is just brushed over. These teens who seem so curious and angry about their destined futures don't ask nearly enough questions or look for answers.

It makes it hard to connect with the characters and feel emotion when their fate comes. Characters are underdeveloped, and relationships even more. The only positive thing about this movie is that I have a soft spot for the cast members, but with bad writing even good actors can't redeem it.