Never Let Me Go (12A)

No CGI, no car chases, no 3D, no explosions whatsoever. If you want action-packed escape sequences or even happy endings, see another film.

"...Ishiguro’s central point about human acquiescence to the inevitability of death is powerful on the page..." -- this concept intrigued me most in the film; am now eager to read the novel! Also, could this film be meant as an allegory for the way we presently treat captive, sentient creatures? http://www.asupposedlyfunthing.com/post/3899181089/the-question-of-the-soul

Beautiful, poignant, universally human film. The review is unfortunate, infantile and bordering the ridiculous.

I find it curious that Tom Huddleston is accusing this film of cultural snobbery when he is the one who finds sci-fi a 'horrible reality'. It concerns me that a supposedly good film critic is so limited by his own perceptions of what 'genre' ought to be- heaven forbid someone might do something different. It is also a little embarassing that he can not imagine a sci-fi film without shiny surfaces and blinking lights... Never mind Tom, the next Star Trek film will be out soon- perhaps you'll find that easier to deal with.

The acting is fantastic, the objects and scenery somehow calm you down a bit against the frustration you feel for the passiveness of the characters towards their destiny. But my body grew up in the sunshine and my soul is tropical, I can see how the constant grey clouds over this beautiful island have made unhappiness so acceptable to its inhabitants, and therefore I can understand those who liked the film, but I cannot join them because as I said...my soul is tropical!

This is an unjustifiably mean review. I found Never Let Me Go a very powerful film for a number of reasons. The frequent lack of rebellion was a chilling consequence of the near-universal acceptance of inhumanity - as if the Nazis had won in Britain (and perhaps commenting on Brits' frequent phlegmatic acceptance). A very thoughtful adaptation of the excellent book. The 'privileged' world of Hailsham turns the romance of Harry Potter on its head (and perhaps Ishiguro is commenting on Oxbridge as an isstitution too). All actors, including Keira Knightley, portray their characters in their situation really well. A contender for film of the year - rush to see this film.

Having read a lot of the above reviews of this film I was not sure what to expect. The Timeout 2 star rating is shamefully mean as are some of the less than favourable comments below. I found the film very moving and tragic. The relationships that were desperately unresolved until their chances had run out were most sad to me, but then I am perhaps just a fifty something 'sado'. Don't expect to leave the cinema fired up, but well worth my monthly subsciption. The

Interesting Blade runner Comparison, though i thought the characters in NLMG got under your skin much more than the replicants. Although that film was a Masterpiece (and parent to hundreds of sci fi Cliches) its emotional impact resided for me in its landscapes not so much in its brilliant looking characters.

Slightly disappointed that emotional impact wasn't present. I feel like the essential turns of plot were here but any slower scenes to build up the characters were stripped out at the editing stage. Mostly good, a very cold death scene half way through.... But it was too scared to take it's time..... I understand thier need not escape, perhaps others did, but these characters went to a different sort of school and were conditioned to think that their purpose was good. I mean don't people who donate their organs after death essentially do the same as the characters in NLMG? I think so. Blade Runner for the Laura Ashley crowd.

A miserable night out and viewing experience, come back John Wyndham. Film plods on from one predictable scene to another, No surprises despite some nice photographic flourishes.