Never Let Me Go
- Product Description
Academy Award® Nominees Carey Mulligan and Keira Knightley, co-star with talented newcomer Andrew Garfield (The Social Network) in this poignant and powerful film. Kathy (Mulligan), Ruth (Knightley) and Tommy (Garfield) are best friends who grow up together at an English boarding school with a chilling secret. When they learn the shocking truth--that they are genetically engineered clones raised to be organ donors--they embrace their fleeting chance to live and love. Based on the acclaimed novel by Kazuo Ishiguro (The Remains of the Day), Never Let Me Go is an intriguing exploration of hope and humanity. Special Features
What I Can Tell You:
You may have missed this movie on your radar and placed it in the artsy, independent category of "If I Catch It, I'll Watch It". That my friends would be a big mistake. Based on a book by Kazuo Ishiguro by the same name.
The movie begins set in the 1970's and we are told that life expectancy of people are into the 100's. We are in a British Boarding house called Halisham House, however, the children are not like other children. They are not orphans as I at first expected. They are clones. Children created and raised to be healthy and eventually donate their organs to help others before they reach "even middle age." The story focuses around Kathy, Ruth and Tommy. Kathy likes Tommy but when Ruth and Tommy become an item.
When they are old enough to leave Halisham House, they go to "The Cottages" until they are called to be donors. There is no need for life lessons as their only purpose is to donate.
Ruth and Tommy are still together which leaves Kathy to become a carer, a kind of social worker. While at "The Cottages" they hear a rumor from other clones that Halisham kids can defer from donorship.
The three eventually go their own ways until Kathy visits Ruth during one of her post-ops. They visit Tommy, and Ruth tells them that she had been jealous of their "true love" and took Tommy from Kathy. She believes they should be together and tells them she has had time to think about how she could make it right. She wants them to get a deferral and be together.
They seek out a way for the deferral only to hear that there never was one. Their paths is defined and they must fulfill their purpose.
What a crazy world it would be. The viewer is forced to think about the souls of the clones. They are no different than the people they serve and will live the lives they were given. I wish there was more of a back story as to how this type of technology and cloning came to be but atlas, I am left to my own imagination.
The story is very thought provoking and the acting is muted and spectacular. I was blown away by the calmness and gentleness of the children's destinies are laid before them. What a bizarre, scary, sad, alternate world.
The movie is a must see and I am dying to see it again with someone, to discuss it in detail.
I have never seen Carey Mulligan (Kathy) prior to this movie but she and Keira Knightly (Ruth) were also in Pride and Prejudice together. Will be watching that movie very soon.
Head over to Fox Searchlight's Never Let Me Go website for more on the movie, the story, video, behind the scenes peeks, and more.
Never Let Me Go Awards and Nominations:
BRITSH INDEPENDENT FILM AWARDS
Won:
Best Performance by an Actress in a British Independent Film, Carey Mulligan
Nominated:
Best British Independent Film
Best Director of a British Independent Film, Mark Romanek
Best Screenplay, Alex Garland
Best Supporting Actress, Keira Knightley
Best Supporting Actor, Andrew Garfield
INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS
Best Cinematography, Adam Kimmel
BAFTAs (LONGLIST NOMINATIONS)
Noms announced: Jan 7th (longlist), Jan 18th (shortlist)
Ceremony: Feb. 13th
Best Actress, Carey Mulligan
Best Supporting Actor, Andrew Garfield
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Make-Up and Hair
Best Costume Design
Best Production Design
Best Cinematography
Best Original Music
DETROIT FILM CRITICS SOCIETY AWARDS
Nominations announced: Dec. 10th
Best Actress, Carey Mulligan
Breakthrough Performance, Andrew Garfield
INDIANA FILM JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION AWARDSAnnounced: Dec. 13th
Wins:
Best Film of the Year (Top Ten)
PHOENIX FILM CRITICS SOCIETY AWARDSNoms announced: Dec. 13th
Winners announced: Dec. 28th
Wins:
Best Overlooked Film
Top 10 Films of 2010
Best Feature
Best Actress, Carey Mulligan
Breakthrough Behind the Camera, Mark Romanek
Best Screenplay, Adapted from Another Medium
LONDON CRITICS’ CIRCLE AWARDS
Noms announced: Dec. 21st
Ceremony: Feb. 10th
British Actor of the Year, Andrew Garfield
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Disclosure: I received a screener copy of this movie courtesy of 20th Century Fox for my honest opinion.
Maybe I should give the movie a try, since I didn't really care for the book. I'm kind of curious to see how it is...
ReplyDeleteAs for the technology/process behind the clones, they don't go into detail on that in the book either.
btw - Carey Mulligan...loved her in An Education!!
ReplyDeleteOOoooh! Sounds like another good one, Maria! I think I'll pick up the book first ;)
ReplyDeleteBek, I didn't know you had read the book. I should have figured. I wonder what you would think about the movie.
ReplyDeleteRenee, It was more interesting than I originally thought. Really liked it. Think it will be even better the second time around.
I saw this film in a theatre and have to say it had some of the most beautiful and sensitive cinematography I've seen in a very long time,
ReplyDeletedon't miss it.
Thanks for the review, now I have to see this movie!!
ReplyDeleteYou're right! I have never heard of this movie but what a cool premise for a story. I'll be adding this to my Netflix wish list.
ReplyDelete