Hello Everyone :-)
In a change to the scheduled programme I’m going to talk about a film I’ve been anticipating for quite a while. And don’t worry, this blog is spoiler free.
‘Never let me Go’ is tricky to talk about because it’s better the less you know about it. The film is set in an alternative 20th century, one in which there were significant scientific advances in the late 1950’s which has led to life expectancies rising to 100 years old. On the simplest level the story is about Kathy, Tommy and Ruth who grow up in the same boarding school and how their lives and relationships change as they grow up.
‘Never let me Go’ was originally a book by Kazuo Ishiguro which I read a few years ago and from then on I’ve counted as one of my favourite novels. I’m not one of those pretentious people that always say “the book is infinitely better than the film” because in some cases that’s not true and adaptations should always be taken on their own merit. In the case of ‘Never let me Go’ it stands on it’s own as a truly breathtaking film.
It looks beautiful. I love that they don’t over complicate it, visually at least. They don’t do a great deal of explaining so you’re left to fill in the blanks yourself which is nice, I like films that don’t treat me like an idiot. I get that some people might have to readjust to this elliptical style of story telling and if you had loud, harsh cinematography along side that I can see it’d turn into a bit of a headache, I’m glad they kept it pared down so it was accessible.
Performance wise the three leads are played by Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield and Keira Knightley.
Carey Mulligan is Kathy and really, this story is hers. Kathy is a very passive character and I understand that some might get frustrated with her inaction regarding events that unfold around her but you need to remember that these are characters that have been institutionalized and don’t know any better, something Mulligan imbues in Kathy. My heart breaks for her.
We’ll just get something out the way now, I don’t like Keira Knightley, I don’t get what all the fuss is about. That said, as a piece of casting, in this she makes perfect sense. Ruth is a pretty unlikable character and she plays her really well. She’s not totally evil or anything and there’s always an underlying love for the others but Ruth tends to be quite self centered.
The key to the whole story is Tommy. When I read the book Tommy was always my favourite. He’s so innocent and naive you just want to hold him and Andrew Garfield plays him perfectly. Childlike and confused by his own situation, it’s such a touching performance. Andrew Garfield must do something to me because practically everthing I’ve seen him in has made me cry. He was in a channel 4 drama ‘Boy A’ some years ago which I adored and in this he gives an equally, if not more moving performance.
It throws up so many questions about science, morals but at the heart of it the film questions what makes us human. Not to say it’s over sentimental at all because it isn’t, it evokes sympathy without being saccharine.
I’ll be honest, if you think all this sounds a bit sad you’re not wrong. I cried like the girl that I am from fairly early on. This isn’t to impugn the film at all because as Sally Sparrow said, sad is “happy for deep people”. It’s very reflective, the sort of film that you watch and take stock of the people you have in your life. It’s quietly moving, sad but not depressing and it has some terrific performances. I loved it.
If you’ve been to see the film, leave me a comment and if not please try and see it. It is superb.
Goodbye till next time :-)
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