Mark reviews Never Let Me Go, adapted for screen by Alex Garland from the novel by Kazuo Ishiguro. The story follows a parallel world where three teenagers live in mysterious isolation.
this movie has an uncanny way of immersing you into the world it ultimately portrays, and the scenes slowly but effectively peels away the mystery of this alternative where humans are............ i don't want to spoil it for you it is a damned good movie
Just finished watching 'Never Let Me Go', in my view it is the movie of the decade. It is moving, profound, brilliantly executed, and will give you goose bumps. Carey Mulligan's performance is spellbinding, and keeping in mind her performance in 'An Education', I truly believe that we have the privilege of being able to see the early work of a true star. I do not always agree with the Good Doctor, but in this case, I am completely in line with his judgement.
This sort of human-relationship scenario is not normally something that fully engages me, but I found this to be very moving and involving. Unlike many others, I didn't find the atmosphere the movie evoked to be in any way bleak and cold, because there was an intrinsic warmth to the two main characters and a kind of nobility to the way they accepted their situation and yet still found a way to grow personally within it. When the film shows one of the privileged majority wondering whether or not their created subgroup possess souls, it seems more pertinent to wonder whether or not it is the majority of the human race who are lacking in that respect. All in all, I found this movie to be very touching and even quite uplifting.
It's a cold movie for sure, but it could be too sentimental at times ("sweeping music, are you crying yet?!"). The end still moved me, heartbreaking stuff. This kind of humanistic sci-fi is great, more speculation than action.
Just saw this movie and cried like a baby because of it. So much we take for granted about in our everyday lives. If one is so fortunate to have a person in your life who you and loves you, cherish/treasure that person every day and never let a day without doing so.
Ishiguro doesn't write books, he writes emotional allegories that are never about the actual setting. These are books that live on in your head for ever after.
This movie is one of my all times favorites. I use this movie to cry my eyes out. I have shown this movie to friends and they don’t feel the same. But for me it is deeply deeply moving.
Why does everyone talk about them escaping. I read the entire book and I did not once wonder why they didn't run away. I think it takes some true form of understanding of this story to know why they chose not to run away.
Director Mark Romanek delivers A well crafted, effective & stylish adaptation of the clever, realistic & emotional British sci-fi drama film. (81%) (4/5 stars) (positive)
I read the book and the movie certainly feels as though it felt like it could hit the beats of the books without any personality or any message at all. It wasn't to me moving and I came to the conclusion that perhaps if you are going to do an adaptation of a book you ought to make a mini-series instead. Things were certainly glossed over and nothing seemed natural especially the relationships.
@Mojosbigstick contradicted yourself by saying a definite statement of its a good piece of film-making yet you havent seen it? However I will confirm it is a brilliant piece of film making
I thought this movie was fantastic. The cast was amazing, the story was interesting and thought provoking and the cinematography was beautiful. I like how there is no conclusion and it never explains it's self properly and feel it is a strength to the film.
I wish he had just sucked it up and gone with the spoiler and made a more complete review rather than spending half of it tripping over his own tongue trying not to let out the big reveal.
Just a word to all who haven't seen the movie: It is so dark and depressing that none of the brilliant performances, direction or score can save it. It will make you feel empty and hopeless ... You've been warned. Avoid.
I agree....I left enraged....but I know it was well made and maybe very good because like Guillermo del Toro recently said, the film's or art makes you angry or you really hate it or feel profound even when dark, then it's probably worth rewatching as it might be hitting important notes...and it might become a favourite....I've yet to rewatch...but I just might....I kind of dread doing though because I still remember how awful I felt after 9 years.
I like Mark, he so often nails exactly what is good about a film. I enjoyed the film too, but I keep coming back to the flaw in the story. I just don't believe this brutality would ever be tolerated in any society let alone what is obviously a western civilisation. It's not a fault with the film but with the whole premise of the book, None the less I was captivated by the book and extremely moved by the film.
Presumably, bearing witness to these last 10 years, and 10 years of personal growth and maturity, has shown you just how easily society would, indeed, ‘accept’ (as if the underclass - that’s you, me, everybody you’re likely to know - would have any realistic means of resistance) such a situation and simply go along with it rather than make waves or draw attention to themselves, or do anything that might deny them possible advantages of just going along with the ruling class. People for the most part don’t care what happens to others if they think there’s the slightest possibility they will, themselves, benefit from participating in - or merely ignoring - the status quo.
As a Christian, I found this movie appalling. It’s possible that this story is real, somewhere. I would not be surprised. I continued watching after the teacher’s scene, hoping. If depression is the intended outcome for the movie, congratulations.
I could not get past the poor acting by the children in the first part - very awkward and artificial, and I could almost hear the director saying "look around the room as if you're a bit scared" etc. The way the young Tommy held the pose for a moment when he held is hand up as if to hit the young Kathy when he was having his tantrum at not being picked for sport seemed to me so melodramatically unlike anything a child would do, even in that weird world, that I lost patience with it. I tried for a bit longer, but it had lost me. Frustrating, as I think the overall story would have been worth a watch. Perhaps I'll try the book.
OMG... 5 minutes into the review and I still do not know whether the film is good or not. Terrible reviewer!!! Do NOT tell me what the film is about, or what YOU think the movie is about.