Review of Never Let Me Go (2010) by Stuart K — 30 Apr 2014
Based upon the 2005 novel by Kazuo Ishiguru, adapted by Alex Garland (The Beach (2000) and 28 Days Later (2002)) and directed by Mark Romanek (One Hour Photo (2002)), this is a dark dystopian sci-fi film which is like a low-budget take on Michael Bay's The Island (2005), only with no visual effects, and set in the remote English countryside.
It's a bleak film, but blessed with a good cast. It tells the story of Kathy H (Carey Mulligan), Tommy D (Andrew Garfield) and Ruth C (Keira Knightley), who all grew up as part of an experimental organ donor program.
They grew up at a boarding school called Hailsham in the late 1970's, ran by Miss Emily (Charlotte Rampling), and instead of learning maths and English, they were encouraged to do artwork. They move to The Cottages in 1985, where they are to stay until they're needed for their individual fates, and by 1994, they reunite, Tommy and Ruth now affected by their fates.
It's a low-budget film which, despite it being set in an alternate history, could easily still happen in our future, which is a scary throught.. The film is a slow-burner, but Romanek gets the best from his actors, and it's a shame he hasn't directed more films, as he has a good visual style, which he honed from his music videos.
This review of Never Let Me Go (2010) was written by Stuart K on 30 Apr 2014.
Never Let Me Go has generally received positive reviews.
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