The film Never Let Me Go is based on Kazuo Ishiguro’s Booker Award winning novel and directed by Mark Romanek. It concerns itself with a group of children growing up in Hailsham, a boarding school in what may or may not be the English countryside. No parents are in evidence, only teachers who make sure the children eat right, do their lessons and stay healthy. We quickly learn that these children are clones whose sole purpose, once they reach maturity, will be to provide society with organs used for transplants to enable people to live longer lives.
Carey Mulligan plays Kathy H., the narrator of the piece. When we meet Kathy as a child in Halisham, her friendship with the troubled Tommy is hampered by the meddling Ruth, who envies the pair’s camaraderie. In a touching scene, Tommy finds a cassette tape at a school rummage sale, and presents it to Kathy. The tape is of a 1950s crooner singing the song that inspired the title of the film. This haunting theme remains with Kathy for the rest of her days, a reminder of Halisham, those she lost and the life she would never have.
Andrew Garfield plays the adult Tommy, and Kiera Knightly, the grown-up Ruth. As the time for them to become donors draws near, they and others of their kind are allowed to live free in cottages on a rural farm. Tommy and Ruth begin a sexual relationship but it can’t get in the way of the obvious connection he and Kathy continue to share. As time runs out for all of them, they attempt to delve deeper into who they are. They know they are all modeled after someone. Ruth’s “original” is thought to be spotted in town and they take a car trip to seek her out. They also make an attempt to find out why their artwork was so revered in Halisham. Whatever knowledge they come away with does nothing to change their fates, which is the most heartbreaking thing about the film.
The performances, like the story, are well worth the price of admission. Garfield gives a richly evocative performance as the adult Tommy, a man who is aware that his weakness has prevented him from being with Kathy. The fact that he knows this can never be rectified hangs over him until the end. He has a haunted, young Anthony Perkins look, which adds to the depth of his portrayal.
Article comments
1 - Jennifer O.
Great review. I've been meaning finish reading that book. You know, I was a little surprised that it wasn't marketed as YA, but I guess acclaimed authors don't want to be associated with that genre.
2 - Mindy
I guess Never Let Me Go could be marketed as YA but that might alienate those who deem that genre too "childish". The Hunger Games is a perfect example of a YA novel series that appeals to all ages (I'm in no way a YA and I love those books).