Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Carey Mulligan | ... | Kathy | |
Andrew Garfield | ... | Tommy | |
Izzy Meikle-Small | ... | Young Kathy (as Isobel Meikle-Small) | |
Charlie Rowe | ... | Young Tommy | |
Ella Purnell | ... | Young Ruth | |
Charlotte Rampling | ... | Miss Emily | |
Sally Hawkins | ... | Miss Lucy | |
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Kate Bowes Renna | ... | Miss Geraldine |
Hannah Sharp | ... | Amanda | |
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Christina Carrafiell | ... | Laura |
Oliver Parsons | ... | Arthur | |
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Luke Bryant | ... | David |
Fidelis Morgan | ... | Matron | |
Damien Thomas | ... | Doctor | |
Nathalie Richard | ... | Madame |
As children, Ruth, Kathy and Tommy spend their childhood at a seemingly idyllic English boarding school. As they grow into young adults, they find that they have to come to terms with the strength of the love they feel for each other, while preparing themselves for the haunting reality that awaits them. Written by Fox Searchlight Pictures
"Never Let Me Go" is an interesting, haunting and affecting story of love and jealousy. The story that we see occurring on the surface is fairly commonplace of friends growing up together and falling in love. But the backdrop of this film, which eventually takes over the main story, is science fiction like. It's dark and tragic and thought-provoking.
The world the film is set in is 1980s England and it looks very similar to the real world. But it's not our world and I had a hard time fully realizing all the characterizations for characters in a world that I don't quite know and understand. But it's just such a well done film that my interest was piqued and the story had me captivated, or at least curious, from beginning to end.
The film was incredibly well shot, making dreary England look spectacular but still getting the feeling of damp and cold across. It was also really well cast. The kids playing the younger versions of Keira Knightley, Carey Mulligan and Andrew Garfield looked and sounded just like them and were able to carry the beginning of the film. As others noted, Garfield also really stood out for me and his character moved me.
I recommend "Never Let Me Go" because of the high quality of film-making. The science fiction elements are rather subtle so it's more for fans of romantic dramas, but it's an interesting enough film that it can cross into most genres.