“ROMANCE PERMANENTLY INTERRUPTED”
Starring: Keira Knightley, Andrew Garfield, Carey Mulligan, Charlotte Rampling, and Sally Hawkins
Directed by: Mark Romanek
MPAA Rating: R for some sexuality and nudity.
Genre: Science Fiction, Romance, Drama
Running Time: 1hr 43min
Release Date: September 24
Distributed by: Fox Searchlight
By John Delia
One of the most morbid films released this year, Never Let Me Go, tells the tale of creating children to be harvested for their organs. Although well acted and directed, this film’s storyline is more like something out of horror movie rather than a love story. If it weren’t for the fine acting of Garfield, Mulligan and Knightly, I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed Never Let Me Go at all.
The film centers on Kathy (Carey Mulligan), Tommy (Andrew Garfield) and Ruth (Keira Knightley) who are ‘born’ into an English boarding school on the pretext of it being a home they would never have otherwise. They are later told differently. The place is called Hailsham with all the trappings of a chance at a wonderful life till reaching adulthood. Only one major problem, when the child reaches the adult stage, they must give their vital organ to wealthy families that have a person waiting to be saved from death. When romance comes into play among the three youngsters, their outlook on life becomes problematic.
The three major stars make the story work by giving outstanding performances as the three teens that have little chance to live their future knowing they are doomed. The
slow pacing during their younger years helps establish the children’s personality, brings out the romantic angle and radiates the horror that will befall them.
In order to enjoy the film you must accept the fact that the science fiction is based on a dystopian world in which everything is opposite of what we think as normal. Also a special chip imbedded in their arm that can track the children, deprives them from escaping from the project. Since I write for a mainstream audience and these concepts may easily be missed, I am only recommending Never Let Me Go for movie buffs and students of film.
Never Let Me Go is rated R for some sexuality and nudity.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Not my cup of tea. (2 of 5)