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Plot Summary
In his highly acclaimed novel Never Let Me Go, Kazuo Ishiguro (The Remains of the Day) created a remarkable story of love, loss and hidden truths. Kathy (Oscar® nominee Carey Mulligan, An Education), Tommy (Andrew Garfield, The Social Network) and Ruth (Oscar® nominee Keira Knightley, Pride & Prejudice, Atonement) live in a world and a time that feel familiar to us, but are not quite like anything we know. They spend their childhood at Hailsham, a seemingly idyllic English boarding school. When they leave the shelter of the school and the terrible truth of their fate is revealed to them, they must also confront the deep feelings of love, jealousy and betrayal that threaten to pull them apart.
Rotten Tomatoes Movie Reviews
TOMATOMETER
71%- Reviews Counted: 167
- Fresh: 118
- Rotten: 49
- Average Rating: 6.8/10
Top Critics' Reviews
Fresh: Although [the] film adaptation does indeed fall short of the brilliance of the source material (and will likely distance viewers even more than the book ever did), it manages to convey the novel's most important themes, and most affecting moments.
Fresh: It's also a film which affirms what is valuable about life. I think this film is a must-see.
Fresh: Though often moving at a glacial pace, this mood piece -- aptly described as a refined romantic drama with a cerebral sci-fi twist -- rarely stays in the same place for long.
Rotten: As a triangular love story, this doesn't really soar either, despite good performances from a hip young cast, and the end result is that a story that should have been terribly affecting, isn't.
Customer Reviews
Never let this beautiful, challenging, underrated film go
Kazuo Ishiguro's powerful novel, which TIME Magazine honored as the best of the decade, has become 2010's finest film. Set in an alternate version of England in which astonishing scientific achievements followed WWII, the film concerns three youths who forge their friendship at a secluded, "special" boarding school, Hailsham. A coming-of-age/romantic drama at heart, Never Let Me Go is also a thoughtful, understated science fiction film, à la Children of Men. Alex Garland's (Sunshine) adaptation of the Ishiguro novel is faithful and intelligent. He captures the Japanese-born British author's subtle unveiling of the plot; not much is SAID!, but a great deal is hinted or told-yet-not-told. Garland also honors Ishiguro's unique exploitation of language, including the oft-disturbing use of euphemisms to obscure brutal truths ("complete"). Mark Romanek's (One Hour Photo) direction reflects Ishiguro and Garland's words. Despite his status as an iconic music video director (he's collaborated with artists such as David Bowie, Jay-Z, Madonna, Nine Inch Nails, and Red Hot Chili Peppers), there is no über-confident "flash" to be found here; the autumnal, muted color palette sets the tone. The visual style is beautiful, but never demands attention or distracts from the character arcs and themes. The cast is outstanding. Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield, and Keira Knightley deliver multifaceted, tender performances, as do their child actor counterparts. Knightley's performance is a career best. Mulligan is sublime, projecting a quiet warmth as an introverted character who almost never lets her emotions show to their true extent. Similar to John Hillcoat's The Road, Never Let Me Go will alienate, confuse, and/or enrage certain moviegoers. Yes, this is a sad film. A devasting slice of dystopic melancholia which pulls no punches and pushes viewers to face uncomfortable concepts, including people's perception of death throughout their lives (from youthful ambivalence to anger and fear to resignation). However, this is also a romantic film, and a film made with incredible skill. And it is destined to inspire passionate post-viewing conversation. Recommended, of course.
Breathtakingly beautiful
Never let me go is an extraordinary movie that has touched my heart and left me crying for a long time.
Andrew and carrey are terrific and that violin/piano piece is so perfect!
This movie is sadly underrated and should receive more recognition!
Excellent
I read the book before seeing the movie. Yes, there were some parts that got switched around a little, but for the mist part it did a great job of interpreting the book. Loved the
film and really loved the cast.
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- $14.99
- Genre: Sci-Fi & Fantasy
- Released: 2010
- © 2010 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation