Never Let Me Go
Carey Mulligan (An Education), Keira Knightley (Atonement) and Andrew Garfield (The Social Network) star in this sci-fi drama, an adaptation of the highly acclaimed Kazuo Ishiguro novel.
Ruth, Kathy and Tommy spend their childhood at a seemingly idyllic English boarding school - this is a world and time that feel familiar, but is not like anything we know. As they grow into young adults, they find themselves coming to terms with the love they feel for each other, while preparing for the haunting reality that awaits them.
- Director:
- Mark Romanek ('One Hour Photo')
- Writer:
- Alex Garland
- Cast:
- Keira KnightleyAndrew GarfieldCarey MulliganCharlotte RamplingSally HawkinsDomhnall GleesonCharlie Rowe
Reviews & comments
Variety
pressNever Let Me Go is that rare find, a fragile little four-leaf clover of a movie that's emotionally devastating, yet all too easily trampled by cynics.
The New York Times
pressAlas, what's missing is the spark of life, the jolt of the unexpected - something beyond tears - to puncture the falseness of a film world, which, by its insistence on its own beauty, obscures the tragedy that the three characters, by their nature, cannot express.
The Guardian
pressThis intensely English adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's novel is too tasteful to be scary and too contrived to be tragic
WARNING: Contains spoilers
Little White Lies
pressSuffused in desolate sadness, Never Let Me Go is a disquieting journey through the bleak midwinter of the human soul.
Hollywood Reporter
pressExpertly acted, impeccably photographed, intelligently written, even intermittently touching, the film is also too parched and ponderous to connect with a large audience.
Empire Magazine
pressA beautifully realised adaptation of a profoundly affecting novel. Intelligent sci-fi provides the backdrop, while in the foreground is a trio of truly impressive performances from Mulligan, Knightley and Garfield.
This movie was well made and looked beautiful, costumes and minimal make up were amazing but I felt the story was a bit lost.. You could say it was artsy and touchy and goes deep into the human condition but I personally thought they began storylines that ended nowhere and I got annoyed at the characters complete acceptance to their fate. I suspect the...
I just got back from watching this film, and feel appropriately stunned... the whole atmosphere - music, setting, all of it - added perfectly to the inevitable and slightly desperate feeling that ran through the whole 103mins. I adored the main characters, and their own struggles that were focused upon, despite the question that was always looming in the...
In a world where cloning boomed in the 1960s, Never Let Me Go prefers to keep its sci-fi setting in the distance (which may turn some off), opting to hold close the relationship between three replicants: Kathy, Tommy and Ruth. Through this trio, the film sends a direct challenge towards our conceptions of love, humanity, being alive and what it means to...
I watched this on a long-haul flight a few months ago (not sure why the cinematic release in NZ was delayed for so long) with no knowledge at all about the plot, so was quite surprised by how it all played out. Overall, a well-cast and beautifully shot film that made me root for Carey Mulligan's character all the way, though Keira Knightly did a good job...
This film was well done. I have a feeling the images and moods will carry with me for days to come. It was just so sad. Ms Mulligan does sad, well. I love what the author had to say about life.
I found this film sinister and unnerving but I still enjoyed it, and now I want to read the book. Personally I would have liked some more exposition on the science behind the story, but I appreciate that this would have detracted from the mystery and atmosphere of the film. Andrew Garfield did a good job of playing Tommy, who, despite his tendency to...
Admittedly I originally just watched it because I was in cold Europe and wanted to warm up in a cinema (and this was one of the few English films on offer), but I really enjoyed this. A smart little film, disturbing and well acted. I loved it so much I bought the book as soon as I got home!
Having read the book I wonder at the wisdom of putting the big plot reveal in the synposis. I love this book and am rather nervous about the casting. Andrew Garfield: yes (his performance in "Boy A: is proof enough that he's extremely talented); Carey Mulligan - current "it" girl? I'm not sure. This at least is a step in the right direction after her...
Variety
pressNever Let Me Go is that rare find, a fragile little four-leaf clover of a movie that's emotionally devastating, yet all too easily trampled by cynics.
The New York Times
pressAlas, what's missing is the spark of life, the jolt of the unexpected - something beyond tears - to puncture the falseness of a film world, which, by its insistence on its own beauty, obscures the tragedy that the three characters, by their nature, cannot express.
The Guardian
pressThis intensely English adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's novel is too tasteful to be scary and too contrived to be tragic
WARNING: Contains spoilers
Little White Lies
pressSuffused in desolate sadness, Never Let Me Go is a disquieting journey through the bleak midwinter of the human soul.
Hollywood Reporter
pressExpertly acted, impeccably photographed, intelligently written, even intermittently touching, the film is also too parched and ponderous to connect with a large audience.
Empire Magazine
pressA beautifully realised adaptation of a profoundly affecting novel. Intelligent sci-fi provides the backdrop, while in the foreground is a trio of truly impressive performances from Mulligan, Knightley and Garfield.
This movie was well made and looked beautiful, costumes and minimal make up were amazing but I felt the story was a bit lost.. You could say it was artsy and touchy and goes deep into the human condition but I personally thought they began storylines that ended nowhere and I got annoyed at the characters complete acceptance to their fate. I suspect the...
I just got back from watching this film, and feel appropriately stunned... the whole atmosphere - music, setting, all of it - added perfectly to the inevitable and slightly desperate feeling that ran through the whole 103mins. I adored the main characters, and their own struggles that were focused upon, despite the question that was always looming in the...
In a world where cloning boomed in the 1960s, Never Let Me Go prefers to keep its sci-fi setting in the distance (which may turn some off), opting to hold close the relationship between three replicants: Kathy, Tommy and Ruth. Through this trio, the film sends a direct challenge towards our conceptions of love, humanity, being alive and what it means to...
I watched this on a long-haul flight a few months ago (not sure why the cinematic release in NZ was delayed for so long) with no knowledge at all about the plot, so was quite surprised by how it all played out. Overall, a well-cast and beautifully shot film that made me root for Carey Mulligan's character all the way, though Keira Knightly did a good...
This film was well done. I have a feeling the images and moods will carry with me for days to come. It was just so sad. Ms Mulligan does sad, well. I love what the author had to say about life.
I found this film sinister and unnerving but I still enjoyed it, and now I want to read the book. Personally I would have liked some more exposition on the science behind the story, but I appreciate that this would have detracted from the mystery and atmosphere of the film. Andrew Garfield did a good job of playing Tommy, who, despite his tendency to...
Admittedly I originally just watched it because I was in cold Europe and wanted to warm up in a cinema (and this was one of the few English films on offer), but I really enjoyed this. A smart little film, disturbing and well acted. I loved it so much I bought the book as soon as I got home!
Having read the book I wonder at the wisdom of putting the big plot reveal in the synposis. I love this book and am rather nervous about the casting. Andrew Garfield: yes (his performance in "Boy A: is proof enough that he's extremely talented); Carey Mulligan - current "it" girl? I'm not sure. This at least is a step in the right direction after her...
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