An adaptation of Nobel prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguru’s 2005 novel, Never Let Me Go is a profound allegory to life and its ephemeral nature along with ethical questions on ‘humanity’. But, narrated by Kathy (Carey Mulligan), it is also a coming-of-age love story – a triangle between an overbearing, somewhat bossy Ruth (Keira Knightley), the quiet, contemplative Kathy and a socially awkward, unaware Tommy who is so obviously more suited to Kathy than Ruth.
As boarders at a isolated yet idyllic school, the three become friends. Their futures are never clarified but it’s apparent not everything is as it should be. The three eventually drift apart as young adults and into a life unexpected. Several years later, the three connect, with Tommy (Andrew Garfield) realising too late his true feelings.
An unsettling tale with excellent central performances, Mark Romanek (predominantly a director of music videos) fails to instill any sense of real emotion in its telling: the premise (as is the novel) is haunting, the film no more than touching.
Rating: 64%
Director: Mark Romanek (One Hour Photo, Static)
Writer: Alex Garland (Ex Machina, 28 Days Later) – adapted from the novel by Kazuo Ishiguru
Main cast: Carey Mulligan (An Education, The Dig), Keira Knightley (The Imitation Game, Official Secrets), Andrew Garfield (Hackshaw Ridge, The Amazing Spider-Man)
An Opinion or Two 