Never Let Me Go Review

Director Mark Romanek has crafted a beautiful adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro's haunting novel, but this is a story that is more powerful on the page than on the screen.  The faithfulness of the film means that much of the novel's emotion is present, but the lack of mystery--which is an inherent part of the switch in medium--lessens the impact of the subtly sci-fi romance.

One of the strengths of the source material is the mystery that envelops nearly every aspect of the novel.  Hailsham, the gallery, the purpose of the students--nearly everything Kathy H. (Carey Mulligan in the film) remembers is shrouded, even at a later date, in a sense of obscurity.  Even in her late twenties, there's still a sense of childlike wonder surrounding Kathy's shared childhood with Tommy (Andrew Garfield) and Ruth (Keira Knightley).  By transitioning to the screen, there isn't as much time to build up the mystery, and the terminology (such as "completion") is brutally defined by being shown instead of being left up to the audience's imagination.  It's not a bad choice; arguably, it's even necessary for the film, where viewers may be less appreciative of ambiguity, while bookworms are more likely to cherish such techniques.

Regardless of the presentation of the plot, the film is a complete artistic triumph.  The art direction is gorgeous, and Rachel Portman's stirring score stands as one of the year's best.  There's a softness, even a distance in the stylistic aspects of the film: even when the camera pulls up close to the action, there's a sense of seeing it through a window.  In some ways, it dulls the emotional aspects of the film, but ultimately, the window shatters and allows Kathy's final words to resonate much more deeply than they might have without the contrast in how removed the audience is from what the characters are feeling.

The cast couldn't have been chosen better.  Carey Mulligan creates a beautiful constancy, remaining caring but detached as she watches her friends fall apart.  Her final scene, in which her passive exterior finally beings to crack, is one of the film's most effective.  Andrew Garfield perfectly captures the naivete and innocence that are so central to his character; he is pulled along by different forces and people, not at all in control of himself, though he finally tries when Ruth releases him.  As Ruth, Keira Knightley is stunning--manipulative and harsh, sweet only to veil her bitterness.  The three young actors who portray the characters in their youth are all also very impressive.

The film might lack the breathtaking power of the novel, but it covers all the most important material, and in doing so, provides a faithful, if underwhelming, adaptation that slowly grips your heart--so subtly that you might be surprised at the firmness of its grasp by the time the credits roll.