| Author |
Message |
|
trixster
loyalfromlondon
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 6:31 pm
Posts: 19697
Location: ville-marie
|
 Never Let Me Go Never Let Me Go Quote: Never Let Me Go is a 2010 British dystopian drama film based on Kazuo Ishiguro's 2005 novel of the same name. The film was directed by Mark Romanek from a screenplay by Alex Garland. Never Let Me Go is set in an alternate history and centers on Kathy, Ruth and Tommy who are portrayed by Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley and Andrew Garfield respectively. The three, who become entangled in a love triangle, are scientific specimens created in a laboratory to provide their organs to severely ill patients. Principal photography began in April 2009 and lasted several weeks. The movie was filmed at various locations, including Andrew Melville Hall. Never Let Me Go was produced by DNA Films and Film4 on a $15 million budget.
Prior to the book's publication, Garland had approached the film's producers—Andrew Macdonald and Andrew Reich—about a possible film, and wrote a 96-page script. The producers initially had trouble finding an actress to play Kathy; Mulligan was cast in the role after Peter Rice, the head of the company financing the film, recommended her by text message while watching her performance in An Education. Mulligan, a fan of the book, enthusiastically accepted the role, as it had long been a wish of hers to have the opportunity to play the part. The film's message and themes were the factors that attracted Garfield to become a part of the film.
Never Let Me Go premiered at the 37th annual Telluride Film Festival in September 2010, where the audience positively responded to its message. The film was also screened at festivals including the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival, and the 54th London Film Festival (which it opened). The film was distributed theatrically by Fox Searchlight Pictures in the United States on 15 September 2010, where it was given a limited release. It opened on 14 January 2011 in the United Kingdom. In the United States, Never Let Me Go opened at four theatres, grossing over $111,000 during its first weekend, eventually growing to $2.5 million. The movie got off to a better start in its first weekend in the UK, earning £625,000 (US$1,009,750) and taking ninth place at the box office.
To date, Never Let Me Go has earned $9.4 million at the box office and an additional $1.8 million in DVD sales revenue. Never Let Me Go was met with generally positive reviews from film critics, with most reviewers praising the cast's overall performances. It was placed on several critics' top ten lists for the year.
_________________Magic Mike wrote: zwackerm wrote: If John Wick 2 even makes 30 million I will eat 1,000 shoes. Same. Algren wrote: I don't think. I predict. 
|
| Mon Sep 20, 2010 8:10 pm |
|
|
|
thompsoncory
Rachel McAdams Fan
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2004 11:13 am
Posts: 14618
Location: LA / NYC
|
Re: Never Let Me Go This was an incredibly haunting film. I couldn't believe how downbeat it ultimately was, the ending was seriously hopeless. Despite that, this is a fantastic film. Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield and Keira Knightley all give incredible performances - especially the former, who deserves another Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Kathy. Garfield is becoming one of my favorite young actors after this film and his unforgettable Social Network performance, and Knightley is at her best with another sensational turn. The film is absolutely gorgeous in terms of production value, the cinematography is spellbinding. And at points this can honestly be quite chilling. I honestly thought the scene where Ruth confronts Kathy at the cottages was one of the most tense and disturbing scenes I've seen in a while, as well as Ruth's death and the way she was just left on the operating table without them even bothering to close her up or try to revive her. The musical score is beautiful and quietly effective. I could have done with a bit more character development when it came to Ruth and to a certain extent Tommy, but for the most part there is little to complain about here. Definitely one of the most powerful films of the year so far, and one that will stay with you long after leaving the theater. A-
|
| Wed Sep 22, 2010 9:58 am |
|
|
|
David
Pure Phase
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:33 am
Posts: 34865
Location: Maryland
|
Re: Never Let Me Go Kazuo Ishiguro's powerful novel, which TIME Magazine honored as the best of the decade, has become 2010's finest film. Set in an alternate version of England in which astonishing scientific achievements followed WWII, the film concerns three youths who forge their friendship at a secluded, "special" boarding school, Hailsham. A coming-of-age/romantic drama at heart, Never Let Me Go is also a thoughtful, understated science fiction film, à la Children of Men.
Alex Garland's (Sunshine) adaptation of the Ishiguro novel is faithful and intelligent. He captures the Japanese-born British author's subtle unveiling of the plot; not much is SAID!, but a great deal is hinted or told-yet-not-told. Garland also honors Ishiguro's unique exploitation of language, including the oft-disturbing use of euphemisms to obscure brutal truths ("complete"). Mark Romanek's (One Hour Photo) direction reflects Ishiguro and Garland's words. Despite his status as an iconic music video director (he's collaborated with artists such as David Bowie, Jay-Z, Madonna, Nine Inch Nails, and Red Hot Chili Peppers), there is no über-confident "flash" to be found here; the autumnal, muted color palette sets the tone. The visual style is beautiful, but never demands attention or distracts from the character arcs and themes. The cast is outstanding. Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield, and Keira Knightley deliver multifaceted, tender performances, as do their child actor counterparts. Knightley's performance is a career best. Mulligan is sublime, projecting a quiet warmth as an introverted character who almost never lets her emotions show to their true extent.
Similar to John Hillcoat's The Road, Never Let Me Go will alienate, confuse, and/or enrage certain moviegoers. Yes, this is a sad film. A devasting slice of dystopic melancholia which pulls no punches and pushes viewers to face uncomfortable concepts, including death itself and people's perception of it throughout their lives, including ignorance and resignation. However, this is also a romantic film, and a film made with incredible skill. It is also destined to inspire passionate post-viewing conversation. Recommended, of course.
A
_________________   1. The Lost City of Z - 2. A Cure for Wellness - 3. Phantom Thread - 4. T2 Trainspotting - 5. Detroit - 6. Good Time - 7. The Beguiled - 8. The Florida Project - 9. Logan and 10. Molly's Game
Last edited by David on Sun Jan 02, 2011 10:46 am, edited 1 time in total.
|
| Mon Sep 27, 2010 11:00 am |
|
|
|
trixster
loyalfromlondon
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 6:31 pm
Posts: 19697
Location: ville-marie
|
Re: Never Let Me Go _________________Magic Mike wrote: zwackerm wrote: If John Wick 2 even makes 30 million I will eat 1,000 shoes. Same. Algren wrote: I don't think. I predict.
|
| Mon Sep 27, 2010 11:37 am |
|
|
|
David
Pure Phase
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:33 am
Posts: 34865
Location: Maryland
|
Re: Never Let Me Go Oh, bite me.  Is anyone else seeing this in the near future? I'm excited to hear other opinions. xiayun? Libs? Lecter? Magnus? Mike? lol _________________1. The Lost City of Z - 2. A Cure for Wellness - 3. Phantom Thread - 4. T2 Trainspotting - 5. Detroit - 6. Good Time - 7. The Beguiled - 8. The Florida Project - 9. Logan and 10. Molly's Game
|
| Fri Oct 01, 2010 6:34 pm |
|
|
|
Dr. Lecter
You must have big rats
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 4:28 pm
Posts: 92093
Location: Bonn, Germany
|
Re: Never Let Me Go It will be released here on February 24th, 2011.
Yep.
_________________The greatest thing on earth is to love and to be loved in return!
|
| Fri Oct 01, 2010 6:36 pm |
|
|
|
David
Pure Phase
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:33 am
Posts: 34865
Location: Maryland
|
Re: Never Let Me Go Ouch lol
_________________1. The Lost City of Z - 2. A Cure for Wellness - 3. Phantom Thread - 4. T2 Trainspotting - 5. Detroit - 6. Good Time - 7. The Beguiled - 8. The Florida Project - 9. Logan and 10. Molly's Game
|
| Fri Oct 01, 2010 6:37 pm |
|
|
|
trixster
loyalfromlondon
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 6:31 pm
Posts: 19697
Location: ville-marie
|
Re: Never Let Me Go It hasn't been released here either.
Not that you were asking me...
_________________Magic Mike wrote: zwackerm wrote: If John Wick 2 even makes 30 million I will eat 1,000 shoes. Same. Algren wrote: I don't think. I predict.
|
| Fri Oct 01, 2010 7:14 pm |
|
|
|
Bradley Witherberry
Extraordinary
Joined: Sat Oct 30, 2004 1:13 pm
Posts: 15197
Location: Planet Xatar
|
Re: Never Let Me Go Up until it's stupefying final single minute of needlessly blatant exposition, Never Let Me Go played out as a lusciously subtle allegory for our times... It does have a rather stately pace though, and for some viewers at my screening it proved too much (or perhaps too little) and they walked out. But this dilation and constriction of time was all part of the fun here - - the director surely intended for it to look like it was all occurring in cold grey jello ooze. Let the secret be known
that this film was really about:
live plays based on an old summer
stock productions in the golden
summer days of yore. The acting was seamless throughout, I adored the work of all of the players depicting various ages. It's certainly in the "depressingly believable dystopia" genre (think A Handmaid's Tale or perhaps Children Of Men, though not quite on their level of propulsive narrative). It succeeds as both an unflattering reflection of our species' own moral squalor when it comes to bioethics, and as a claxon horn warning to change course before the good ship Civilization hits another one of them damned ol' icebergs of doom lying ahead in the fog... ...and for this service above and beyond the call of duty of popcult in presenting the ugly truth in such an elegantly serene parable, I hereby grant Never Let Me Go a grade of: 17 out of 5. (Arise Sir Never Let Me Go!)
|
| Sun Oct 10, 2010 12:34 am |
|
|
|
David
Pure Phase
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:33 am
Posts: 34865
Location: Maryland
|
Re: Never Let Me Go Yay!  [Please don't yell at me, Bradley.] _________________1. The Lost City of Z - 2. A Cure for Wellness - 3. Phantom Thread - 4. T2 Trainspotting - 5. Detroit - 6. Good Time - 7. The Beguiled - 8. The Florida Project - 9. Logan and 10. Molly's Game
|
| Sun Oct 10, 2010 1:26 am |
|
|
|
jmovies
Let's Call It A Bromance
Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2007 7:22 pm
Posts: 12333
|
Re: Never Let Me Go Never Let Me Go is exemplary film work that uses it's source material well to portray the chilling themes in a much deeper and chilling light. The book and film don't lose much in main point line but the film does offer many bits where the impact is much greater than words could even express on screen. Many silent moments in the film show just how much fear there is in this dystopian setting. The opening with the children signing may be seen as just a regular routine for a boarding school when in all essence it's the start of the horrid lives the kids will lead. The young cast is quite strong to start off the story but it ends up being the adult cast where the film really strives. All three actors are quite great. Carey Mulligan displays her wonderful acting chops again and while it doesn't beat her An Education role, it is definitely good competition. Keira Knightley does a great job portraying the jealous and confused Ruth while staying calm enough to make the role convincing and not exaggerating. If there was one person to choose as the best in the film though it would be Andrew Garfield who seems to have finally solidified himself as a strong actor in Hollywood after this role and the one in Social Network. He displays at times some of the true fear and worry of this new society and does it more convincing than many other actors who could of filled the spot. The scenery is beautiful and feels just like what was written. The last few minutes of the film are some of the most chilling and gut-wrenching moments shown in film this year or even the past couple of years. A true delight. ****
|
| Sun Oct 10, 2010 2:01 pm |
|
|
|
David
Pure Phase
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:33 am
Posts: 34865
Location: Maryland
|
Re: Never Let Me Go Good review, jmovies.  I'm glad every KJ member who's seen this has loved it. _________________1. The Lost City of Z - 2. A Cure for Wellness - 3. Phantom Thread - 4. T2 Trainspotting - 5. Detroit - 6. Good Time - 7. The Beguiled - 8. The Florida Project - 9. Logan and 10. Molly's Game
|
| Sun Oct 10, 2010 4:11 pm |
|
|
|
jmovies
Let's Call It A Bromance
Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2007 7:22 pm
Posts: 12333
|
Re: Never Let Me Go Gunslinger wrote: Good review, jmovies. I'm glad every KJ member who's seen this has loved it. What did you think of the ending? I was definitely shedding a few tears.
|
| Sun Oct 10, 2010 5:57 pm |
|
|
|
Bradley Witherberry
Extraordinary
Joined: Sat Oct 30, 2004 1:13 pm
Posts: 15197
Location: Planet Xatar
|
Re: Never Let Me Go jmovies wrote: Gunslinger wrote: Good review, jmovies. I'm glad every KJ member who's seen this has loved it. What did you think of the ending? I was definitely shedding a few tears. I found the ending very fitting, except as I mentioned in my review, the 103rd minute of the movie where Carey Mulligan is forced by the screenplay to directly and artlessly state the theme of the movie in two or three sentences. That was such a comedown after the delicately nuanced parable that had cast such an enchanting spell for the previous 102 minutes.
|
| Sun Oct 10, 2010 6:30 pm |
|
|
|
David
Pure Phase
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:33 am
Posts: 34865
Location: Maryland
|
Re: Never Let Me Go The ending was devastating. Film Kathy is more self-aware and philosophical than Novel Kathy (comparing the clones' lives to those of the people whose lives they save), but I thought those Garland-penned lines were beautiful. One novel-to-film change I loved: Kathy not resigning as Tommy's carer. I understand why she did it in the novel, but the image of her being there, watching his final moments...so powerful and provocative. I honestly thought Kathy and Tommy's relationship was even more moving in the film than in the novel. _________________1. The Lost City of Z - 2. A Cure for Wellness - 3. Phantom Thread - 4. T2 Trainspotting - 5. Detroit - 6. Good Time - 7. The Beguiled - 8. The Florida Project - 9. Logan and 10. Molly's Game
|
| Sun Oct 10, 2010 7:12 pm |
|
|
|
jmovies
Let's Call It A Bromance
Joined: Tue Aug 07, 2007 7:22 pm
Posts: 12333
|
Re: Never Let Me Go Gunslinger wrote: The ending was devastating. Film Kathy is more self-aware and philosophical than Novel Kathy (comparing the clones' lives to those of the people whose lives they save), but I thought those Garland-penned lines were beautiful. One novel-to-film change I loved: Kathy not resigning as Tommy's carer. I understand why she did it in the novel, but the image of her being there, watching his final moments...so powerful and provocative. I honestly thought Kathy and Tommy's relationship was even more moving in the film than in the novel. I agree. It was definitely more touching in the film and all the more sad at the time. Ruth's death was especially more sad than the book's already tragic one. The way they just left her there really brought out the coldness in this dystopian world.
|
| Mon Oct 11, 2010 4:19 pm |
|
|
|
Shack
Devil's Advocate
Joined: Sun Jul 31, 2005 2:30 am
Posts: 40520
|
Re: Never Let Me Go I really liked it. Will be one of my favorites of the year most likely.
I loved the dystopia plot and how it added to the emotion of the film, but what really drives it just 3 characters doin their thang, like a live play.
Carey Mulligan is just unbelievable here. I thought her An Education performance was slightly overpraised, but she's just brilliant in silence and subdued emotion here. I'd give her a Best Actress award for it right now. Garfield is definitely the breakout star of 2010, though I didn't even realize until this thread he's the guy from the Social Network. Knightley is great in the 2nd half, though she has more to work with then too.
I liked the aura and look of - it adds to the sense of solemness to the movie. All the clones carry themselves with the weight of knowing they'll die young.
I hoped they'd address how they manage to keep all the clones from escaping. You'd think almost every one of them would rather make a run for it than face the donations. But eh, I'll forgive the film for bypassing it
Definitely a 2010 highlight. Simple film in a way, but effectively so. Lots of meaning and layers to it despite it's straight forward nature.
_________________Shack’s top 50 tv shows - viewtopic.php?f=8&t=90227
|
| Sat Oct 16, 2010 5:48 pm |
|
|
|
Argos
Z
Joined: Sat May 13, 2006 2:20 pm
Posts: 7952
Location: Wherever he went, including here, it was against his better judgment.
|
Re: Never Let Me Go Beautiful and boring. 4/10.
_________________
"Der Lebenslauf des Menschen besteht darin, dass er, von der Hoffnung genarrt, dem Tod in die Arme tanzt."
- Arthur Schopenhauer
|
| Sat Jan 01, 2011 12:24 pm |
|
|
|
David
Pure Phase
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:33 am
Posts: 34865
Location: Maryland
|
Re: Never Let Me Go "Beautiful! 10!" -- Argos Going on the DVD cover in certain Eastern European markets. _________________1. The Lost City of Z - 2. A Cure for Wellness - 3. Phantom Thread - 4. T2 Trainspotting - 5. Detroit - 6. Good Time - 7. The Beguiled - 8. The Florida Project - 9. Logan and 10. Molly's Game
|
| Sun Jan 02, 2011 10:45 am |
|
|
|
David
Pure Phase
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:33 am
Posts: 34865
Location: Maryland
|
Re: Never Let Me Go I wish more people here had seen this.  Love or hate, I would just be interested in more reactions. It's out on DVD and Blu-ray on February 1st. Wink, wink. _________________1. The Lost City of Z - 2. A Cure for Wellness - 3. Phantom Thread - 4. T2 Trainspotting - 5. Detroit - 6. Good Time - 7. The Beguiled - 8. The Florida Project - 9. Logan and 10. Molly's Game
|
| Sun Jan 02, 2011 10:47 am |
|
|
|
trixster
loyalfromlondon
Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2004 6:31 pm
Posts: 19697
Location: ville-marie
|
Re: Never Let Me Go I agree with Argos.
_________________Magic Mike wrote: zwackerm wrote: If John Wick 2 even makes 30 million I will eat 1,000 shoes. Same. Algren wrote: I don't think. I predict.
|
| Wed Jan 05, 2011 1:36 am |
|
|
|
Magic Mike
Wallflower
Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 4:53 am
Posts: 35243
Location: Minnesota
|
Re: Never Let Me Go 7/10 ( B )
|
| Mon Feb 07, 2011 7:20 pm |
|
|
|
David
Pure Phase
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:33 am
Posts: 34865
Location: Maryland
|
Re: Never Let Me Go What brought it down in your estimation? And I mean this sincerely, so don't regard it as an attack, Michael. I must admit, while I'm glad you enjoyed it, I'm a bit disappointed the grade isn't higher. _________________1. The Lost City of Z - 2. A Cure for Wellness - 3. Phantom Thread - 4. T2 Trainspotting - 5. Detroit - 6. Good Time - 7. The Beguiled - 8. The Florida Project - 9. Logan and 10. Molly's Game
|
| Mon Feb 07, 2011 10:38 pm |
|
|
|
Magic Mike
Wallflower
Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 4:53 am
Posts: 35243
Location: Minnesota
|
Re: Never Let Me Go The film is very well-made; so beautifully filmed and Mulligan is wonderful. Garfield is also great. I loved the score music and the final scene has stayed with me. I especially loved the film's final words. However, my big issue with the film is that I was strangely emotionally detached. At times, especially during Garfield's final scene, I would think "That's sad" instead of actually feeling it. This is a moment where I should have been on the verge of tears, but I wasn't even close. If done right this movie should leave the viewer devastated and emotionally drained, but rather it left me kind of cold. All of the ingredients were there for this to be a great film, but it just didn't work for me. Another thing, and it might just be me who felt this way, but I had a difficult time even buying into this situation, which contributed to my lack of caring. I know it's a movie, but a great movie can suck you in to any situation and make you live it, but "Never Let Me Go" never felt real to me. Technically there are so many great things about this film and there are some really nice moments, but it just didn't feel like it had a beating heart.
Also, I can't understand why the characters just accepted this as their fate. They really don't try and do anything to change it. I would have been fine with the movie ending without them succeeding in changing anything, but it's frustrating they barely question things.
That being said, I definitely liked the film and want to watch it again soon, as well as read the book. And I will say again that Mulligan was just superb. I hate that there were so many great female performances in 2010. Too many of them are overlooked because of it. This is one of them.
|
| Mon Feb 07, 2011 11:46 pm |
|
|
|
David
Pure Phase
Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:33 am
Posts: 34865
Location: Maryland
|
Re: Never Let Me Go The clones' predicament is a metaphor for the tenuous nature of life. Their inability or refusal to escape represents the fact none of us can escape the fact we will die. Our time is limited.
Also, if you reflect on history, it's full of people who didn't rebel, who didn't stand up for themselves. People who bowed their heads and followed orders, and died because of it. Just consider any genocide. Accepting one's place in a very strictly regimented society might not be a decision many contemporary Americans can relate to (pull yaself up by ya bootstraps, y'all), but this doesn't mean it's unrealistic. Remember this story was conceived by a Japanese-born British author.
As for the film's emotional impact, I have to, with respect, disagree. In my opinion, Mark Romanek and Alex Garland nailed a certain devastating understatement, which recalls Yasujirô Ozu's films. It's never soapy, which separates it from, say, Black Swan or The King's Speech. The film's sadness is mild, inward, reserved, etc., just as the characters are bred and trained to consider their lives with a calm, detached reservedness. This film doesn't want to rip your heart out and smash it to pieces, Stepmom or Marley & Me-style, you know? When I watch it, I feel very melancholy and introspective at the end, which I reckon is more interesting than messy weeping and trite sentimentality.
You should definitely watch it again.
_________________1. The Lost City of Z - 2. A Cure for Wellness - 3. Phantom Thread - 4. T2 Trainspotting - 5. Detroit - 6. Good Time - 7. The Beguiled - 8. The Florida Project - 9. Logan and 10. Molly's Game
Last edited by David on Tue Feb 08, 2011 12:04 am, edited 3 times in total.
|
| Mon Feb 07, 2011 11:57 pm |
|
|
Who is online |
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 20 guests |
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum
|
|
