Harry says Mark Romanek's NEVER LET ME GO is truly Fantastic!

NEVER LET ME GO leaves me concerned regarding an American audience’s ability to fully comprehend and empathize with the characters they’re watching on a screen. Mark Romanek’s latest film is based upon Kazuo Ishiguro’s brilliant novel, NEVER LET ME GO. If you’re familiar with Ishiguro’s REMAINS OF THE DAY – you’ll realize the sort of film you’re getting yourself into. Like REMAINS OF THE DAY, this is about a servant class. Only the servants of NEVER LET ME GO, do not pour coffee, nor do they wash you’re clothes. But one day, when you need them, their organs will be yours – and the servants do not resent their lot in life – they simply live the best life that they can expect to have until the time is called upon to make their first donation. NEVER LET ME GO begins at a boarding school in the seventies, somewhere in the English countryside. Their entire lives have been at this school. They are not watching the latest movies, nor reading anything that the school does not provide. They’ve never had parents that told them how their parents met, fell in love… none of that. They are not taught ambition, nor do they long for growing up. Instead they are taught that they are special, that their reason for existence is a noble one, something to live up to, not run from. Their entire lives are about giving longer lives to others. So don’t go to NEVER LET ME GO, if you’re wanting a LOGAN’S RUN or a REPOMEN style movie. This is a film that isn’t about evading fate, but embracing it. Living the life you have, no matter how short it may be. There’s a powerful scene where the children are all sitting in their class like good little boys & girls, when their teacher stands before them – and contrary to the rules of the school – she lays out their lives. Telling them that they will only barely grow up. But that there will be no time for the dreams of youth – none of these kids will become Astronauts, Doctors or travel to the United States. That shortly after they reach an age of maturity they will begin to have their organs harvested, thus saving the lives of their ‘originals’ – And you can see this revelation having an effect upon the kids. Most simply accept it, others see it as a call to enjoy what life they have. To fall in love. Because that they can do. Ultimately though – this isn’t a story about the world they live in. You won’t be seeing scientific whiz-bangery – that isn’t what this film is about. Ultimately, this is about nearly unrequited childhood love. This is about life and death. Now – once this film becomes the domain of Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield and Keira Knightley – there’s a sadness that clouds the sides of the frames. We know that once it becomes their story, their story hasn’t much longer. Carey Mulligan’s Kathy is in love with Andrew Garfield’s Tommy – and Keira Knightley’s Ruth saw their true love and coveted it. So she stole Tommy away from the shy Kathy. This is something we see happen while they are children, but we can see the ramifications throughout their short lives. True Love denied by one who will take any love she can have. It is only late in these abbreviated lives that Ruth can see this and admit this – As I was watching the film, I began empathizing with these characters, not because they resemble anything in my life – but because as I sat there in the theater, I began to imagine a life unlike my own. One where I was never allowed to be exposed to all the things that made me me. A world where I was made to think about life in a microcosm. What if I had only ever known and lived with the friends I had made in Elementary School. There was a girl in Elementary that was sweet on me, and upon whom I was also sweet. Imagining no parents or family. The film didn’t start ripping at my heart, until a moment later in the film that puts these three main characters in a car, driving to spend one last journey together – and realizing… this is most likely the last time these three would spend – and Ruth is making the most of it. She has a big sin in her heart that she must fix before she dies – and she knows she won’t have. But honestly – it was just the idea of a roadtrip with those you love dearest before saying goodbye. Making good on the petty things we’ve done in life – and wondering if I’d ever see my friend Edward Shelton again. I haven’t seen Edward since High School graduation. We used to talk on the phone a couple of times a year, but beginning 5 months prior to my wedding – he disappeared. Right now, I don’t know if he’s alive or dead – but if he’s either, I’d like for him to contact me. And that thought hit me on this driving scene in the film. Mark’s film is immaculately shot. The 3 main periods of the film, each being shot with a different evocative film stock – framed and shot like a classic Ozu film, this is a film that allows you to think and feel about the situations and characters on screen. Andrew Garfield is the discovery of the year. From his work in RED RIDING, to his work in THE SOCIAL NETWORK and especially his heart-wrenching work in this. He loves life – and when the end is near – he wants to hang on most. Making a desperate shot in the dark attempt. Relying on a personal mythology that many of the students created to give one hope of getting to stick around, a little longer. In that scene – when Charlotte Rampling enters the situation and it becomes about their reality – you can see the betrayal and the hopelessness enter his eyes… At the same time, if your eyes check in with Carey Mulligan’s Kathy – you can see that she gets it before him. And I get the sense that she knew all along. Part of why she loves Tommy is because of his capacity to hope for more. Partly because of his eyes and what she sees there. Mainly I like to think it is because of a cassette tape he once gave her that I get the feeling she has loved her whole life. Ultimately – this is a similar story to BLADE RUNNER – without the running. They want more life, but they’re not homicidal about it. They’re polite, hopeful and when they’re rejected – it’s like when your insurance company won’t cover a life-saving surgery. It just sucks. You don’t run into the hospital with a gun, you perhaps try more paperwork, but ultimately you know you’re pretty much fucked. By looking at the cast – I get the idea that they get to live to the Rock Star death age of 27. I find myself thinking a lot about this film. At many levels it can be considered a bit of a downer. But I don’t see it that way. Mainly because Carey’s Kathy doesn’t see it that way. Kathy is such a beautiful spirit in this film. She’s the least fearful of the three, mainly because she set herself up to be an aide to those that have begun their period of donation. By being close to death and seeing how demystifying it is… She has a peace about her and she is radiant in comparison to the other two. In many ways the lesson of the film is to not concentrate upon your ending, but rather – focus upon the life you are living. And that’s outstanding. For a film to make you appreciate the life you have. To demystify death. That teaches elegance in life and in death. That’s a high calling for any piece of art – and Mark Romanek has brought those aspects of Kazuo Ishiguro, along with the lessons of duty and the limitations of class to life beautifully. This is one of the great films of 2010. With ONE HOUR PHOTO and NEVER LET ME GO – Mark Romanek is a very curious director to watch. Let’s see what he comes up with next!