Review: Never Let Me Go

Posted by Anna at 12:20 on 12 Feb 2011 Reviews A-Z

It's difficult to know where you stand with Never Let Me Go. It's dystopian sci-fi, yet it's set in the recent past, not the future. There's a timeless quality to the film: it could just as easily be the 1960s as the '80s or '90s - how many sci-fi films are there where the protagonists look like they've tumbled out of a 2-for-1 jumper sale at Oxfam? - but at the same time, it taps into something very contemporary. It contains by no means a far-fetched concept; the technology and knowledge exist to make what happens in this movie a reality. At some point the ethical barrier holding us back will crumble, and then what?

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7 comments.

Posted by Outstanding at 13:36 on 11/10/11

Didn't enjoy it at all. I found it sterile, it didn't have enough life or joy in it to contrast with the extreme bleakness of their situation to actually make it sad. The whole way through I felt expected to cry but it was so OTT grim I couldn't find it sad, also because the characters had so little backbone or fight. The only thing redeeming was I spent the time trying to spot scenes filmed in St Andrews, I only recognised the sand dunes.

Posted by Nick at 07:27 on 04/08/11

Uncomfortable watching and in it's coldest moments a deeply unpleasant but by no means unrealistic dystopia. I certainly don't want to watch it again.

Posted by Goatboy at 12:06 on 27/02/11

Loathed it with a passion.
Haven't read the book but knew the story.
Nothing happens, ever. Didn't make it to the end, had to turn it off.
Maybe I wasn't in the mood, maybe I can't get past Knightley, maybe it's a massive boring shit of a film.

I'd suggest it was overlooked at the awards because it's bollocks. A languid, esoteric proposition on what it means to be human may make a good book for people to read on the tube so other people think they're smart and want to sleep with them.
But it makes a molasses-slow film with "I. Am. Acting" all over it.
Really didn't enjoy it in case I hadn't made that clear.

Posted by Ben at 14:58 on 26/02/11

I just finished reading the novel, and would love to see the film, but I doubt I'll get round to it at the cinema. The casting looks to me about perfect, Ruth is such a manipulative little bitch, that Knightley seems an ideal fit.

Posted by Ali at 07:14 on 14/02/11

It's like The Island but with less explosions.

I liked this a lot. Very brittle and very moving story. Performances were all strong - Mulligan maybe a bit drippy and Keira a bit muggy, but Andrew Garfield was incredible. Totally slayed me. Bit of a mystery why he didn't get any award nominations.

Posted by Kirsty at 06:55 on 14/02/11

I really can't wait to see this. Beautfully written Anna!

Posted by Nick at 13:22 on 12/02/11

I suppose it's difficult to write a review without revealing the truth. It really is bizarre and uncomfortable to have what isn't an impossible sci-fi idea brought into a realistic setting instead of the normal version of future sci-fi inhabits.

Edited at 13:22 on 12/02/11