Never Let Me Go

The world in which Never Let Me Go is set is darkly fantastic. I want be clear that when speaking of the setting, I am not referring to the physical location, background or props. It probably takes place in England, but that's not important. I'm speaking of the social state of the world created by the novel's author, Kazuo Ishiguro. The story spans from the late 1970s to nearly present day. However, in this alternate world, children grow up to be “donors,” clones who live for the sole purpose of giving their organs to everyone else in the world. There are three stages to this film, each signified by the age and condition of the characters, Kathy, Tommy and Ruth. The story is narrated by the lead character, Kathy, played wonderfully by Carey Mulligan. She is tortured by her love for Tommy who is in a relationship with her loyal yet self serving friend, Ruth, played by Kiera Knightley. At a young age, the three learn of their impending early departure from life, as they are all donors. Their knowledge of this effects how their relationships develop with each other. The last film adaptation of a novel written by Kazuo Ishiguro was that of Remains of the Day. It, too, was about how second class citizens live in their world and how they shelter their emotions from those they love to keep the stability of that world. Remains of the Day was directed by the accomplished James Ivory (A Room With a View, The White Countess), while Never Let Me Go was directed by Mark Romanek whose only film director credit I know of, albeit a good one, is One Hour Photo. I didn't feel the same emotional pull in this film as I did in Remains of the Day, but I certainly felt a little tug. I think Never Let Me Go was adapted quite well and I definitely took a little part of it with me as I left the theater. The composition of the film reminds me of haiku poetry. It says so much with so few words or action and you might need to take a moment when its over to meditate on its purpose. Its simple theme of opposites, perfect yin and yang, remove the necessity for too much eventful detail or dialogue. This story is about balance. Along with the main character, Kathy, we learn that there cannot be virtue with out vice, life without death, or love without suffering. To feel both hope and despair is what it is to be human. Never Let Me Go received some mixed reviews since its release this past weekend. It seems critics either love or hate this film. I think the film was excellent, but probably required a certain amount of patience to appreciate it.