Friday, October 8, 2010

Never Let Me Go (R)

Cast and Credits
Director: Mark Romanek
Writer: Kazou Ishiguro (Novel), Alex Garland (Screenwriter)
Actors: Andrew Garfield, Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley
Life is Short
While watching Never Let Me Go I was reminded of the 2005 film The Island, not because of the similarities between the two, but because of the stark differences of two films that deal with many of the same topics. The Island follows two clones who are grown to be organ donors for people in the real world. When they find out the truth of their lives they escape, create havoc, and rebel against this inhuman system. 
In contrast, Never Let Me Go depicts people held to the same fate, but these people react very differently. They understand their fate at a young age and yet they surprisingly seem accepting of it instead of rebellious. They live the lives that are set before them. In a world where we are continually told to stand up against oppressive systems and fight for justice, to our amazement, they don't. Because of this I was struck by a question that I still am unable to answer. Is it honorable that these people simply accept their fate? 
Looking back, Kathy tells us the story of her life with her two best friends Ruth and Tommy. Beginning with their time as children at the English boarding school Hailsham. There is something haunting about Hailsham as the children regularly have doctor's check ups, take classes that aren't what we normally see, and have no understanding of the outside world. The truth comes out to what is going on the school when Miss Lucy tells her students the horrible truth that their only purpose in life is to be organ donors and they will die before they reach middle age. 
As a young girl at Hailsham Kathy befriends an outcast boy named Tommy. Their relationship continues to develop as they live at the school. But Kathy's best friend Ruth soon comes in and takes Tommy to be her boyfriend. The three grow up and at the age of 18 are moved to cottages to live until it is time for them to donate. 
There is such a feeling of nostalgia through much of the film as Kathy is remembering her story. The past is the most present force in their lives because they have no future. It's filmed in a way that keeps our focus on nature, the past, and how those two elements combine to form memories. The scenery throughout is absolutely stunning and it aids what is being said about life.
At the cottages Kathy feels alienated because everyone else including Tommy and Ruth are in romantic relationships. She seems to have a real sense and understanding of what her life will look like, and because of this she carries a heavy weight.
The three childhood friends ultimately separate to move on with the short lives they have left, but they all meet up again near the end. They realize what they had with each other, and Tommy and Kathy again find the love they had for one another when they first met as children. These relationships are so important because they have nothing without them. 
Never Let Me Go isn't about the wrongs of cloning or about the morality of scientific advancement. It's about the importance of relationships, communication, love, the human condition, and the beauty of life. The film moves simply so that you can focus on these people's lives and consider your own. It was moving, thought provoking, and one of the best critiques about human life in a film for a long time.

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