Review of Never Let Me Go (2010) by Georgia G — 20 Apr 2013

I would highly recommend this fiercely provocative, devastatingly sad and disturbingly realistic film to all those looking for an affecting, articulate watch. Set in the future, the film explores the moral impact of a world where people are cloned in order to receive transplants from a physically identical human when their own organs begin to fail with age.

The story is told from the perspective of the donors enabling it to challenge the idea than 'clones' are just 'copies' of other people. This misconception is broken down by portrayal of the individuality, thoughts, feelings, dreams and sorrows of three main characters before they 'complete'( a cold euphemism other humans use to describe them dying which in itself reminds us of how easy it is for people to detach themselves from discrimination in life.

) There are many possible purposes of this film, the most obvious is to warn the viewers of the ethical problems of something that many people regard as an exciting possibility for the future, but the film is also commenting on segregation in society.

Its themes subtly probe the audience to reflect on the horrors of the Holocaust, the apartheid and homophobia in the past, and consequently remind them not to discriminate and prejudge against certain people- just because they are different, it doesn't make them any less human.

As we watch Cathy, Ruth and Tommy grow up and become attached to them and feel their pain viscerally in the same way we do with Bruno and Schmuel in 'Boy in Striped Pyjamas.' The main plot is a three way love triangle between the three aforementioned; as love, desire, pain and heartbreak are emotions that most viewers will be able to relate with helping them emphasise with the characters and understand the messages of the film.

Strong acting from Kiera Knightley, Charlotte Rampling and the rest of the cast, along with a fantastic, intelligent theme make the film convincing and powerful. The only criticism I would give to this film is its extremely bleak and uneventful.

The idea is brilliant- yes. It leaves you thinking-yes. It makes you cry- yes, but nothing much really happens. To nudge this film from 4 stars to 5 , more action, adventure romance and oomph in general is needed.