Never Let Me Go

This film is set in a world which appears to be the same as England in the '70s, '80s and '90s. We know it's not because at the beginning there is a prologue which explains that there has been huge leaps in modern science meaning that people can live for a lot longer than before. We meet our three main characters when they are young and in an eery boarding school. More reminiscent of the 1930s than more modern times. Kathy (Carey Mulligan) and Ruth (Keira Knightley) form a friendship with the volatile Tommy (Andrew Garfield), for Ruth, this turns into more than a friendship, but it's Kathy that really loves Tommy and over the years she finds it increasingly hard to cope with those feelings of love. All the children in the school are counted in and counted out by electronic wristbands, and there is something sinister the teachers are hiding. The truth comes to light and it's then that the young people's lives change, when they are too old for school they go on to 'the cottages' to live until their vital organs are needed and they go on to donate. Kathy decides to become a carer, which will prolong her life by a few short years. The friends lose touch, but connect later on when time has ravaged their young bodies. Tommy and Kathy reconnect and try to find a way to spend the precious little time they have together. I'm not giving anything away as this is all revealed very early on in the film. There films scenes and settings are very ordinary, which makes it all the more creepy. Keira Knightley is the standout as Ruth. Ruth is passionate and impetuous. You initially feel that she is incredibly selfish, but of course, she's just trying to survive, and you forgive her because she is so lost and so brave. Carey Mulligan, whilst a good actress, doesn't really suit this role. She reminds me of someone's Nan in this, a little bit frumpy and I never really believe that she loves Tommy that much, it's all a bit half hearted and unemotional. Andrew Garfield is again, a good actor, but whilst Tommy is supposed to be an innocent, he just comes across as a bit of a half wit really. The premise is excellent, it's a really great idea and the story in itself is unusual and touching. I don't think it matters at all that noone tried to escape from the situation, not everyone does try and where would they go anyway? It's more the casting choice I think, it just was a bit soul less and you didn't really care, because you felt the main characters didn't care that much. Which is a real pity, because I love a good cry. NEVER LET ME GO: More a case of, don't let me go, well, ok if you want to then you can, I'm not really that worried. 6.5/10