Never Let Me Go

Tweet

Review by Anthony Morris

Metaphor & science fiction often go hand-in-hand.

Never Let Me Go's problem is that the science fiction only works as a metaphor - the second you think "how would that work?" the whole thing completely falls apart. 

Of course, you're not supposed to think that, and how well this film works for you will depend to a very large extent on how successfully the characters keep you too engaged to ask any wider questions. 

Set in a world where in 1952 there was a medical breakthrough (the timing works both for the rustic UK setting of the story and for the suggestion of Nazi doctors) that meant by 1967 the average life expectancy was over 100, the story begins in 1978 at Halisham boarding school. 

It's a slightly odd place - no parents ever stop by and the children are told gruesome stories to prevent them from wandering off. Student Tommy is picked on by the other kids and often flies into wild rages, with only Kathy willing to reach out to him.

It's clear that Kathy's falling for him, but her attention makes him seem more of a catch to her more forthright friend Ruth. Then a teacher reveals the truth behind their school: they'll never have proper lives, because they've been grown to "donate" their organs. 

After a few donations - few survive past four it seems - they'll have "completed". Shocking to us but blankly accepted by the kids, we jump forward to 1985, where they've been relocated at 18 to a farm called The Cottage. 

Ruth (Keria Knightly) and Tommy (Andrew Garfield) are still together, while Kathy (Carey Mulligan) pines for him in a quiet way.

Gradually more facets of their lives are revealed, including the hope that if a couple are truly in love, they may be granted a "deferral" from their donations. 

This is a gentle, low-key film that gains most of its power from the strength of its central metaphor: a harsh and brutal scheme that cuts short lives for a "greater good" that's never fully explained or understood. 

In short, it's a metaphor for life itself (and if you don't get it it's spelt out in a somewhat blunt ending). People fall in love, it doesn't always work out, we don't get enough time, we're not appreciated for who we are and then it's all over. 

It's a sad story made more heartfelt by wrenching performances from the three leads, but there's nothing more to it than the broad metaphor.

Well, there is one moment towards the end where Kathy, who for most of the film is an archetypical "good girl", kisses Tommy and then looks at him like he's the only thing keeping her alive. 

It is over in a second but there is a world in her glance - one far more interesting than the frozen place this restrained film dares serve up.

DVD Special Features

There are more special features on her than you can throw a stick at. It's pretty impressive considering that the number of people who went to see this that weren't actually in the movie can be counted on one hand.

None the less, for those discovering it on DVD, there is plenty coming your way..

• The Secrets of Never Let Me Go

• Mark Romanek's On-Set Photography

• Tommy's Art

• National Donor Programme & Hailsham Campaign Graphics

• Theatrical Trailer

Not bad, ay?

Conclusion: Movie 70% Extras: 65%