You have to know who you are, and what you are. It's the only way to lead decent lives.

Never Let Me Go
March 31, 2011

Dir: Mark Romanek

This review was written for Watch Out For

Based on the 2005 novel by Japanese-born, British writer Kazuo Ishiguro, Never Let Me Go has been called a modern sci-fi classic. I’d be more reluctant to use the word ‘classic’, but the film adaptation of a, in my opinion, overrated book, proved meditative and visually impressive.

Directed by Mark Romanek (One Hour Photo), the film, like the book, is divided into three sections and follows Ruth (Keira Knightley), Tommy (Andrew Garfield) and Kathy (Carey Mulligan), who begin as students at Hailsham, a privileged boarding school with a secret.

Students are encouraged to look after their health above all else and as they grow to learn their destiny they, and the audience, are asked to question what it really means to be human. While the science fiction element is present, the real focus of the film is the relationships between our narrator Kathy and her friends, including a much longed for intimate relationship with Tommy.

The students also experience an emotional journey of self discovery as they come to terms with their imposed fates.

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