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Never let me go (2010) Romanek
Beautiful Oblivion
The film is wonderfully subtle and wholly dependent on the viewer discovering the muted drama. There's a nice little mash of science fiction that borrows diverse elements such as technological advancements from the far future and antiquated morals from the past to create the boarding school, Hailsham. At first glance, this venerable instiution appears to be the cream of the crop and exclusively reserved for upper class children during the 30's. Though the time line establishes the story as beginning in England in the 70's.
Hailsham instills a fierce sense of pride and purpose in the children with a carefully groomed docility, since they are a select few, bred from birth for public service and the common good. Though, upon graduating from Hailsham, their education appears to have ill prepared them for the real world. Their beliefs seems to be a hazy amalgam of superstition, speculation and hushed desires. Later in the film, as adults, it's learned that all the boarding schools have closed down and been replaced with something a more efficent. So they remain, the very last remnants of a experiment winding down.
All the actors are uniformly good, even the bit players can supply a stark look that tells you everything. But I'll mention the seamless transistion from Izzy Meikle-Small who plays the younger Kathy---as a child wise beyond her years, and the grown-up version, Carey Mulligan. They almost appear to be real life sisters. A delicate meditation on the brevity of life and love.
Beautiful Oblivion
The film is wonderfully subtle and wholly dependent on the viewer discovering the muted drama. There's a nice little mash of science fiction that borrows diverse elements such as technological advancements from the far future and antiquated morals from the past to create the boarding school, Hailsham. At first glance, this venerable instiution appears to be the cream of the crop and exclusively reserved for upper class children during the 30's. Though the time line establishes the story as beginning in England in the 70's.
Hailsham instills a fierce sense of pride and purpose in the children with a carefully groomed docility, since they are a select few, bred from birth for public service and the common good. Though, upon graduating from Hailsham, their education appears to have ill prepared them for the real world. Their beliefs seems to be a hazy amalgam of superstition, speculation and hushed desires. Later in the film, as adults, it's learned that all the boarding schools have closed down and been replaced with something a more efficent. So they remain, the very last remnants of a experiment winding down.
All the actors are uniformly good, even the bit players can supply a stark look that tells you everything. But I'll mention the seamless transistion from Izzy Meikle-Small who plays the younger Kathy---as a child wise beyond her years, and the grown-up version, Carey Mulligan. They almost appear to be real life sisters. A delicate meditation on the brevity of life and love.