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Never Let Me Go
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Never Let Me Go

2010
Romance
Drama
1h 43m
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.
Directed by:
Mark Romanek Mark Romanek
Written by:
Alex Garland Alex Garland Kazuo Ishiguro Kazuo Ishiguro
+1 more
Starring:
Charlotte Rampling Charlotte Rampling Nathalie Richard Nathalie Richard Keira Knightley Keira Knightley Monica Dolan Monica Dolan Sally Hawkins Sally Hawkins Domhnall Gleeson Domhnall Gleeson Andrew Garfield Andrew Garfield Andrea Riseborough Andrea Riseborough Carey Mulligan Carey Mulligan Ella Purnell Ella Purnell Charlie Rowe Lydia Wilson Lydia Wilson
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Genres:
Romance, Drama, Sci-fi, Suspense/Thriller
Countries:
UK, USA
Language:
English
imdb More information at IMDb
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Never Let Me Go

2010
Romance
Drama
1h 43m
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Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 54.92% from 2556 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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filmfreak88filmfreak88
Rated 16 Jan 2011
85
89th
Perhaps only fans of the book will get to appreciate this largely forgotten and misunderstood but impressive film adaptation by Mark Romanek? What people mistake for emotional inertia is truly a quiet but delicately precise portrayal of hopelessness and uncertainty; their unquestioning resignation to their fate a product of years of mental and emotional conditioning. All three leads give great performances. But Mulligan must be singled out. Everything she feels you can see through her eyes.
Rated 16 Jan 2011
kasperlKasperL
Rated 04 Oct 2010
40
19th
Mulligan is a revelation. That such a marvelous performance is wasted on this script is almost unbearable. Apparently the book is amazing, not that you can tell. Presumably an emotional core got lost somewhere in the adaptation, as the main flaw is that it's impossible to invest in the characters. How they deal with their situation (or, rather, the fact that they don't at all) is unacceptable to me and by the end I loathed them and hated the movie's unearned pretentions. Massive disappointment!
Rated 04 Oct 2010
omgfridgeomgfridge
Rated 27 Feb 2011
8
80th
Offers many moral questions, insights to the human psyche and leaves you in the awkward position to interpret your emotions on what has just occurred. Great, great cast on top of that in a frighteningly real dystopian tale.
Rated 27 Feb 2011
rayRay
Rated 17 Feb 2011
90
91st
The plot has a lot of issues. Lets get that out in the open before anything else. You need to accept them and forgive them or you will ruin what is otherwise an excellent film for yourself. The acting here is of such superb quality, the cinematography very pretty and the direction so powerful. There are scenes in this film so forceful it feels like someone has punched you in the chest. Please, please forgive its minor flaws and take it for what it is: a superbly acted, beautiful film.
Rated 17 Feb 2011
anomalyAnomaly
Rated 03 Apr 2012
84
83rd
While fleshing out the world more would have better contextualized the characters, what we get is enough as a springboard for some great drama. Here is science fiction that does what science fiction should do - make us ask questions about our own world and ourselves. Romanek is great behind the camera, and Mulligan in front of it, deserving all the praise she's gotten. Restrained yet beautiful.
Rated 03 Apr 2012
juntakinte99juntakinte99
Rated 26 Jun 2021
70
38th
It should be cool to see a dystopian tale of genetic engineering run amok. But as a film, this is more like Remains of the Day; with a hero bravely suffering the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune with a stiff upper lip. The sci-fi is buried too far in the background, with no commentary on how a scientific breakthrough impacts the world. Still, Carey Mulligan & Andrew Garfield are amazing as always. Recommended only if you've dreamt of seeing a British melodrama mashed up with The Matrix.
Rated 26 Jun 2021
okkervilOkkervil
Rated 14 Jul 2011
77
78th
Some narrative issues aside, "Never Let Me Go" is an all-round excellent movie. All the leads are very good, & Romanek's photography is lovely too. Where this movie really succeeds is in becoming a challanging morality tale, that is played out compellingly in the form of a dystopian romantic tragedy! Romanek was right to focus on the characters rather than any sci-fi or sociological elements in my opinion, & as such I would have loved to have seen the characters youths explored a little deeper.
Rated 14 Jul 2011
judge_holdenJudge Holden
Rated 18 Jan 2011
4
51st
It just feels so unpolished. My mind keeps going back to the final scene where Mulligan's character basically baby-feeds you the film's central message. It's a jarring, unflattering moment. What comes before isn't much better. The characters are presented as completely resigned to their fate, and while that may make sense thematically, the film does a bad job of selling it on a narrative level. Taking those who have read the novel at their word, this is a fairly incompetent adaptation.
Rated 18 Jan 2011
bunkenBunken
Rated 12 Jan 2011
60
52nd
The acting is great and so is the interesting plot, but the execution is not at all good! We never fully understands the characters and how they deal with their predetermined destiny or maybe that is no coincidence? I dont know, but I kept thinking, why dont they just run away? Or maybe thats no coincidence either? Im a bit confused... But again, the idea behind the book and film is great and interesting, but also very tragic should mankind ever go in that direction!
Rated 12 Jan 2011
kojilessKojiless
Rated 18 Nov 2015
88
90th
A Brtish-ly depressing tale of a trio of English muffins who eke out depressing lives in a society where they have absolutely nothing to live for, while never even bothering to question their fates. To quote Depeche Mode, people are sheeple, so why should it be, you and I should donate our organs for rich people's lon-ge-vi-ty?
Rated 18 Nov 2015
saucyjacksaucyjack
Rated 17 Oct 2010
88
83rd
Echoes of Children of Men in one heck of a sophomore effort for Romanek that says much about the human condition and the power of love, without being pandering. A truly depressing film, but one that shouldn't be missed. Great performances by the three young leads (Knightley, Garfield, and Mulligan). One of the best films of 2010.
Rated 17 Oct 2010
markjpMArkjp
Rated 10 Dec 2011
85
80th
Superbly acted by all leads and shot with incredible beauty, several individual scenes stands out as very powerful. Romanek succeeds in creating a moving, melancholic but eerie atmosphere. If you can forgive the film it's minor script-flaws, a beautiful film awaits you. The characters' response to their situation will annoy some viewers, but rather than belittling them for their actions I found their acceptance far more engaging and interesting than any attempt to break free of their situation.
Rated 10 Dec 2011
actionbergActionberg
Rated 09 Mar 2011
90
92nd
A staggeringly beautiful and uncommonly reserved work of science fiction. The picture's effectiveness hinges on the expression of the relationship between the principal characters, and Carey Mulligan and Andrew Garfield do such a tragically heartbreaking job at making you believe in their love. That element intertwined with gorgeous cinematography and a melodramatic yet fitting orchestral score make this one of the best romances I've seen in recent years.
Rated 09 Mar 2011
johnsandwichJohnSandwich
Rated 05 Feb 2011
65
52nd
Hm. On the one hand I like that it doesn't get all Hollywood tearjerker-y, on the other I never really got all that invested in this. I think it could and should have been a lot longer - it felt a little rushed. The performances are great, though, especially Carey Mulligan as noted in many reviews. Also the child actors in Hailsham-part did good. The film is also well-shot and fine to look at. In short: the film is pretty good, I think the book might be great.
Rated 05 Feb 2011
anchoviesanchovies
Rated 13 Oct 2010
95
99th
Beautifully directed, phenomenally well-acted love story set in an alternate past. This is a subversion on the typical Hollywood fare and actually invites audience interpretation and reflection. Rather than belittling the characters for their atypical response to their "purpose", I condemned a world that would marginalise and trample on the underclass so carelessly, at once reminded of the brevity and preciousness of life. Remarkably restrained and poetic in its elegance
Rated 13 Oct 2010
bownBown
Rated 31 Dec 2010
83
67th
Delicate and sweet and god damned heartbreaking. Mulligan and Garfield are so good in everything ever.
Rated 31 Dec 2010
joeliusJoelius
Rated 26 Apr 2011
4
2nd
What a terrible film! Why didn't they run? hide? escape in some other obscure way? No clue! There was no establishment of any construct that would explain this behavior. There was nothing worth seeing in this film...unless you have a prude fetish.
Rated 26 Apr 2011
derbarneyDer_Barney
Rated 17 Jan 2011
63
7th
Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way? Maybe, but I, for one, just cannot grasp how anybody, society at large or the Donors themselves, would acquiesce to this arrangement. If I were a Hailsham kid I would eventually wind up donning my purple shirt and stabbing people in the eye just to vent my rage at the sheer injustice of it all. Not these people, so despite the strong performances, this film with its sado-masochistic themes and drab-and-dreary look just won't work for me.
Rated 17 Jan 2011
dogubombDogubomb
Rated 06 Mar 2011
40
35th
Nice in concept, could have been executed better. Never really bought into the relationships, never cared about the people. Hospital bedside melodrama isn't very interesting.
Rated 06 Mar 2011
valenzettiValenzetti
Rated 20 Dec 2010
83
65th
My primary complaint is that it's almost too ethereal a portrait. As for criticism of its central plot contrivance: the last few lines address that misguidance ably enough. The film sets out to talk about humanity and its relationship to its factual end, and does so. We can create whatever fictions we like to come to terms with the end, but the end happens. So why waste time on the mechanics?
Rated 20 Dec 2010
glumpy99glumpy_99
Rated 03 Apr 2011
63
24th
Well-acted film with a solid sci-fi premise unfortunately squanders most of its time developing a fairly mundane romantic triangle between the three leads. What of the administration of the donor program? How does the larger society view these "creatures"? By the time such intriguing questions are raised in the last half hour, there is scant time to discuss and consider, which is a great pity. Beautifully shot and well-directed, but a mis-use of fascinating subject matter.
Rated 03 Apr 2011
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 12 Jan 2012
89
92nd
Watching it the film kept it's hold on me through excellent characterizations and a leisurely but always active pacing, but I couldn't really grasp the greatness through the surface observations on identity and rather standard melancholy feel. Once it was over, though, the impression it left was much stronger than I felt through the experience. The surface observations are a reflection of the characters and reveal a more conflicted and complex emotional depth that lingers with me.
Rated 12 Jan 2012
sebbysebby
Rated 07 Mar 2011
50
27th
The concept is so far ahead of what we see on screen that I couldn't help but feel significantly let down by the film.
Rated 07 Mar 2011
kavuKavu
Rated 03 Jan 2011
62
34th
The leads do a decent job but Romanek isn't up to the task. I think someone could've written a much better story from the premise too.
Rated 03 Jan 2011
djrossdjross
Rated 10 Mar 2012
35
19th
Perhaps it says more about me than anything else that I become impatient with movies that seem overly preoccupied with the “delicacy” of human emotion. However original the idea, the execution is all too by-the-numbers, and the actors seem to have been directed to give mannered performances with much pausing between words and phrases. The longer it went on, the slighter its virtues seemed. The conclusion is simply trite. Yet another film in the thrall of orange-and-teal colour filtering.
Rated 10 Mar 2012
theescapistTheEscapist
Rated 14 Jul 2013
63
29th
This could have been rated higher if it weren't for the gigantic plot holes. The dystopian society as portrayed in this film is so unbelievable and the way the characters behave is so unrealistic that everything loses power and meaning. The film pretends to be quite something but really isn't, the cinematography is nothing new and the soundtrack is way too melodramatic and overdone. Very dumb sci-fi. Some individual scenes are very good, which is why I didn't rate it lower.
Rated 14 Jul 2013
ytadelYtadel
Rated 20 Oct 2010
6
70th
Turns out that Michael Bay's The Island plus Harry Potter minus all action and supernatural elements makes for a pretty damn good movie. I should note that I didn't in any way buy that these people wouldn't try to make a run for it, but it still succeeded on the shoulders of its strong cast and classy directing. I admit I had never heard of Andrew Garfield when they cast him as Spider-Man but between this and Social Network I'm fully on board now.
Rated 20 Oct 2010
afx237viafx237vi
Rated 18 Feb 2012
60
52nd
If anything, this film is a good advert for Ishiguro's novel, because while I was intrigued by the themes and ideas expressed by the plot, none of them were tackled in any depth by the film. Most of the time it felt like it was the director's sole intention to get me from point A to point B in the shortest time possible. Overall, an enjoyable film, but I would have preferred an extra 30 minutes on the runtime in exchange for a little more substance.
Rated 18 Feb 2012
barthalenBarthalen
Rated 03 Nov 2011
80
81st
A bit emotionally distant at first, but I got drawn in more and more, until the inevitable conclusion left me feeling miserable. So, job well done. Cinematography is both cold and beautiful, and the cast delivers nicely.
Rated 03 Nov 2011
martintellerMartinTeller
Rated 27 Mar 2011
85
84th
Gentle, elegiac, melancholy tones. The sci-fi premise is interesting but serves only as a foundation for meditations on mortality, humanity, social inequities and love. It occasionally spells things out too plainly, but I wouldn't call it heavy-handed. Romanek has a good eye, and the film has a lush atmosphere that enhances its introspective nature, as does the restrained score. All in all, a very beautiful film, one that's original enough and touching enough to warrant a second look someday.
Rated 27 Mar 2011
paxtonPaxton
Rated 21 Jan 2014
53
25th
This movie is the antithesis of Upstream Color.
Rated 21 Jan 2014
dst7175dst7175
Rated 11 Mar 2011
15
9th
boredfest and confusing. As adults no one is making them do this why not stop. Pretty dumb. The island is a better choice for this type of movie.
Rated 11 Mar 2011
nathandarkoNathanDarko
Rated 11 Apr 2011
86
63rd
Romanek created a very dystopian world. Uncommon and beyond every imagination of moral and humanity. Try to imagine that your whole existence is not more than an "organic storage". Gruesome perception, but not unthinkable. Technically great work with good actors up ahead the "New Spiderman" Andrew Garfield. Everybody who expect action will be very disappointed.
Rated 11 Apr 2011
ecitizeneCitizen
Rated 31 Jul 2012
40
32nd
Actors are awesome, and performances are good, but the premise of the story was just pathetic, as was the story telling. If you can get past the ridiculous back story, you find beautiful actors doing their level best. There were too many dull moments, the director was terrible. Some parts just dragged along for what seemed forever. Carey Mulligan saved almost every scene she is in so by the end you might not care that the premise is so incredibly stupid or the story is so inept.
Rated 31 Jul 2012
snallygastersnallygaster
Rated 18 Aug 2012
44
40th
Great premise and I like the fact that the movie just drops you into the main characters' experience without trying to directly explain much about the "outside" world. But it just doesn't go deep enough.
Rated 18 Aug 2012
shadrikShadrik
Rated 31 Jan 2011
90
96th
At first it felt like a toned down, yet extremely interesting and touching Sci-Fi story (even though most of the credit goes to the book I guess) mixed with the portrait of a mediocre love-triangle. It took me a moment to realize how well the two parts fit together. Every action has such an enormous impact as the stakes are really high here, it felt incredibly intense. Oh, and it looks quite beautiful too.
Rated 31 Jan 2011
lennyneroLennyNero
Rated 10 Apr 2011
95
96th
If you ever wondered if a drama that mixes romanticism and fatalism effortlessly will break your heart...this "small" movie about great things will definitely never let you go.
Rated 10 Apr 2011
schnofelschnofel
Rated 04 Dec 2010
18
4th
In its better moments it's about old people, the rest of the time the setup feels so misguided that any metaphorical meaning turns pretentious. That the filmmaking then is so tastefully deliberate and that scenes only vary in shades of studied regret makes it all just worse.
Rated 04 Dec 2010
wwallce4prezWWallce4prez
Rated 29 Dec 2010
81
77th
Mulligan and her eyes...amazing. If I were in charge, I would just start handing her awards for looking into the camera. Never Let Me Go is one of my favorite novels, and, even before seeing this, I knew it was probably impossible to capture it on film. Still, Romanek puts forth a valiant effort and creates a beautiful film.
Rated 29 Dec 2010
abunchofcatsABUNCHOFCATS
Rated 10 Feb 2011
81
57th
Although it has some stunning shots, it's simply too slow and doesn't explore many of the ethical or sociological problems which would arise from a situation like this. It's mostly a drama with negligible sci-fi elements.
Rated 10 Feb 2011
damildamil
Rated 16 Jan 2012
85
95th
The film had a lot to live up to for me. Inevitably, it wasn't as good as the book. Some stuff was left out, & it didn't have quite the same feeling behind it. But, just as a film by itself, I'd say it's really good. A couple of scenes were fantastically & achingly emotional. I really felt something. Good performances by all the actors. It was by no means a perfect adaptation, but I think they did a great job overall. So, I do recommend seeing it. Though, I recommend reading the book even more.
Rated 16 Jan 2012
peyrinpeyrin
Rated 17 Feb 2020
65
42nd
Garland is an inspired choice of screenwriter, but ultimately his script feels overcautious and unnecessarily deferential to the source material. The result is more "adaptation of a great novel" and less "a great adaptation," something that may satisfy those familiar with the novel but leaves the rest of us a bit in the dark (and not in the cool mysterious scifi-y way)
Rated 17 Feb 2020
emtiltemtilt
Rated 11 Aug 2014
59
39th
When watching, I immediately thought that this film sounds like an Ishiguro novel, but that is both a success and a failing. The film doesn't really know how to be a film, falling back on a narrator to tell you what to think. This removes any nuance or impact. This film would have been a better one if all of the voice-over were excised.
Rated 11 Aug 2014
nick_hamdenNick Hamden
Rated 03 Jun 2013
100
95th
Oh the tears. I hope they never let go. FUCK THEY LET GO.
Rated 03 Jun 2013
stewballStewball
Rated 30 Sep 2010
60
28th
A great amount of talent spent telling a pointless and depressing story.
Rated 30 Sep 2010
cloudynowCloudynow
Rated 06 Jan 2011
84
95th
A bitter and humane story told cleverly by leaving all scifi elements vague and without using any emotional/ethical cliché of similar genre movies. Beautiful visuals and music and storytelling somehow reminded me of my favorite movie, remains of the day. One of the best movies of 2010.
Rated 06 Jan 2011
entrapmenentrapmen
Rated 24 Jan 2011
19
0th
i dont get the idea of nonhuman being clone stuff. the human instinct to live is there, it can not be unseen or ignored.
Rated 24 Jan 2011
closedmouthclosedmouth
Rated 05 Feb 2016
60
20th
One of those movies that lives or dies on whether you buy into the central romance, and I just couldn't. I found Mulligan and Garfield very bland and lacking in any chemistry, and honestly the whole thing came off kind of portentous and self-consciously morose instead of the natural, lyrical melancholy they were clearly going for. Knightly's always interesting, if only to see what weird choices she'll make, but she doesn't have much to do here. And Sally Hawkins is criminally wasted.
Rated 05 Feb 2016
superargoSuperargo
Rated 07 Dec 2010
67
56th
Some striking moments for sure, and it's quite beautifully acted. Troubling, though. I had a tough time latching onto the notion that these people wouldn't rage a little more against the dying of the light. They seemed awfully complacent--serene, even--in the face of their imminent "completion."
Rated 07 Dec 2010
tbwTBW
Rated 20 Sep 2014
75
83rd
Carey Mulligan's amazing performance lifted this dark film to an hauntingly shining place for me. Don't try to figure out why the characters behave as they do, as theirs is a different world. But the pain of never being able to have something that you want and need so desperately, that's so close yet unattainable, is sometimes all too real in the real world.
Rated 20 Sep 2014
bingbing
Rated 24 Dec 2013
85
88th
Beautiful. A tiny and powerful story told with a nuanced science fiction and period flavour.
Rated 24 Dec 2013
burkayadaligburkayadalig
Rated 20 Feb 2011
74
49th
Depressing, slow and dull version of The Island... Mulligan and Garfield act great. Knightley trying to catch up with them with her fake and forceful acting; but cant succeed. Very good movie visually but lacks the overall sentiment we should be feeling for these naive young people...
Rated 20 Feb 2011
dalatdalat
Rated 21 Nov 2020
59
14th
another good story which is sacrificed to wanna-be-impressive, cheap love-triangle related, unnecessary, relationship details.
Rated 21 Nov 2020
sirstuckeySirStuckey
Rated 09 Feb 2016
60
36th
It was total bullshit that the unhappiness that resulted from the romantic triangle was blamed on only one person when another one of them was just as much if not more at fault. Everything else was at least good, but the romance was such a huge part of the film I had a hard time really enjoying it once the second act focused so heavily on it.
Rated 09 Feb 2016
moraesfelipemoraesfelipe
Rated 05 Aug 2011
72
75th
Although it never quite achieves more than you expect -- you know, an emotional and pale indie feature --, Never Let Me Go manages to be deep and sad enough to leave you goddam depressed.
Rated 05 Aug 2011
krf7krf7
Rated 16 Oct 2010
90
86th
This is an amazing movie, where you just need to put the one glaring plot hole out of your mind as much as possible.
Rated 16 Oct 2010
frankhowleyFrankHowley
Rated 30 Dec 2010
60
28th
I wasn't engaged in anything but Carey Mulligan. The film never really grabbed me.
Rated 30 Dec 2010
alex_watkinsAlex Watkins
Rated 21 Apr 2017
3
38th
An elegiac portrait of lost youth and innocence that is too frustratingly allusive for its own good; it's a story that should either have been twice as long, to further our impression of these characters and deepen the emotional resonance of their plight, or half as expository, to make us feel more keenly the barely-remembered nostalgia in which it trades.
Rated 21 Apr 2017
nofearnofear
Rated 12 Jul 2012
85
86th
Haunting, chilling and uncomfortable to watch. Great film which makes you think. Brilliant acting by the main three.
Rated 12 Jul 2012
dardandardan
Rated 05 May 2015
33
24th
Any subtextual opportunity to parralel with the Myth of Sisyphus is abandoned to instead put forward a banal and unfocused coming-of-age narrative, causing the already weak structure as a result of its shaky premise to falter to the point of annoyance.
Rated 05 May 2015
chemical404chemical404
Rated 05 Jan 2011
52
42nd
Most beautiful and talented young British actresses can't save this movie from being pointless. Premise is very interesting and relevant - I had the book this film is based on in reading queue for quite some time, but the way Romanek tells the story left me indifferent and quite bored.
Rated 05 Jan 2011
deaddillydeaddilly
Rated 09 Jan 2011
60
27th
Hollow and pretentious as a film. Book should serve you well if you care.
Rated 09 Jan 2011
parcalihamparcaliham
Rated 10 Jan 2011
95
95th
10 ocak 11 & yaralayan bir film. neden bu kadar canimi acitti bilmiyorum. belki de anlatiminin cok duru, duygu somurusunden cok uzak ve siirsel bir tonda olmasindan. film o kadar akici, o kadar insani icine cekiyor ki, karakterler aglarken bende agliyordum. One of the best movies of 2010.
Rated 10 Jan 2011
skiewulfyskiewulfy
Rated 25 Apr 2011
40
29th
Is there some hidden genius that I am missing? The film has moments of stark, uninspired beauty wrapping itself in the scenery of an English countryside in perpetual summer and the approach to tell the story of a character's life with a half hour spent with an uneventful childhood affects the pacing like a heavy weight. Its easy to fake being profound or deep by wrapping fatalism in sentimental warmth and representing naivety as depth.
Rated 25 Apr 2011
tvfilm_hubTV+Film-Hub
Rated 26 Apr 2011
6
35th
Watch the Island, ignore this film. This is a desperate attempt at drama cut off at the knees by a complete failure to explain whatever construct this fantasy world is built on. The character's emotions, actions, and intentions are all incomprehensible, due to the fact that the film makes no attempt at explaining the construct so that the viewer can understand what's happening. PS: I am not a confused old man. I figured out the Prestige's s plot from the trailer and the opening credits.
Rated 26 Apr 2011
outtakeoutTake
Rated 22 Feb 2011
99
98th
"What I'm not sure about is, if our lives have been so different from the lives of the people we save, we all complete. Maybe none of us really understand what we've lived through." (Never Let Me Go, film, 01:36:19)
Rated 22 Feb 2011
terrymacterrymac
Rated 30 Aug 2012
76
75th
A laugh riot this is not. It is, however, a subtle, touching and effective science fiction film. The acting is very good throughout; Mulligan (I'd only seen her in Doctor Who previously) in particular shining. Romanek displays a deft touch with the camera and direction; although experienced in music videos, this is a very strong feature debut. There is a feel, an atmosphere, I can't quite put my finger on here, but it reminded me of the best 70s science fiction. Bleak, but very good.
Rated 30 Aug 2012
bofbof
Rated 15 Nov 2011
73
66th
A little disappointed. Carey Mulligan impresses as always, and I like the way the positively soak everything in clichéd Britishness as if to emphasize the "stiff upper lip" attitude of the entire society. It's a world where everyone has already been conditioned to accept something which, when you spell it out, is absolutely horrifying: industrial-scale dehumanization and mass murder. But something feels unfinished about it. Maybe it's the hamfisted final scene. Still, not bad, not bad at all.
Rated 15 Nov 2011
frederikaFrederikA
Rated 12 Dec 2011
80
86th
A uniquely sober sci-fi movie, that has the courage to follow through on the high concept premise creating a less accessible but more rewarding (and genuinely depressing) story.
Rated 12 Dec 2011
cameron262Cameron262
Rated 04 Jan 2012
9
98th
Beautiful acting, beautifully filmed, beautiful story.
Rated 04 Jan 2012
timmotimmo
Rated 13 Feb 2011
70
28th
It's probably better if you don't pick up on the quasi-twist right away. It's fine, though. Worth seeing.
Rated 13 Feb 2011
rufamRufam
Rated 09 Jan 2012
75
72nd
"Never Let Me Go" is a somber, beautifully shot sci-fi drama, with a fascinating central concept and fine acting courtesy of Mulligan, Garfield and Knightley. It examines interesting themes like love and identity throughout and, although the script doesn't seem capable to dig too deep in exploring them, it's still a captivating overall effort.
Rated 09 Jan 2012
matthew_parkinsonMatthew Parkinson
Rated 14 Dec 2011
50
47th
It's not as entertaining as it could have been because it goes through many lulls which bored me whenever they came about. The characters aren't as interesting as they needed to be to carry the film, so when their actions are not driving it, we becoming uninterested. The ethical questions are also not brought up early enough to be a factor, which means there's no true secondary element to hold our attention. It still is a good character drama, but it certainly could have been better.
Rated 14 Dec 2011
ronthedogronthedog
Rated 02 Oct 2011
80
47th
Interesting idea that doesn't seem fully realised in the film despite some excellent performances. The oddness is never fully brought out, leaving the impression the wrong side of effective.
Rated 02 Oct 2011
spanksSpanks
Rated 03 Nov 2013
80
82nd
Much superior to the novel in nearly every aspect, which is not to say it still didn't have that reckless, non-grafted narration the book majorly suffers from. The acting is spot on, the atmosphere is gorgeously unnerving, and the whole thing looks impeccable. It's just great to see a film that tops its source material, which, not too mention, was voted in Time's Best 100 Novels.
Rated 03 Nov 2013
indiologyindiology
Rated 19 Sep 2011
85
84th
Bleek and evocative. This movie leaves you thinking about life hard.
Rated 19 Sep 2011
elysian_airElysian Air
Rated 01 Jul 2012
100
98th
The soft, somber tones befit this story exceedingly well; the shades of idyllic country and the impenetrable fortress of secrecy is rendered in masterful detail. Romanek had the monstrously impossible task of adapting Ishiguro's book, but does so with skillful artistry. Also worth noting is Mulligan's fantastic performance as Kath. Without Mulligan it simply would not have worked. The confluence of all elements yield a film that forms a perfect synthesis of ethereal beauty and infinite sorrow.
Rated 01 Jul 2012
sommssomms
Rated 12 Jul 2013
80
86th
Touching meditation on life and love. Accomplished cinematography and overall design that reinforces the themes of the film. A deeply personal portrait of friends coming to terms with inevitable mortality, individually.
Rated 12 Jul 2013
pigletPiglet
Rated 23 Jan 2011
80
91st
I was not as moved as I'd hoped, but by all means, it's a very good film. Carey Mulligan stands out, with Andrew Garfield not far behind. A bit let down by the plot, though.
Rated 23 Jan 2011
mspraguemsprague
Rated 20 Jul 2013
70
60th
Beautifully filmed "Howard's End" sort of feel with a feeling something is wrong right from the start. Well worth viewing.
Rated 20 Jul 2013
fredericg54frederic_g54
Rated 14 Apr 2011
7
57th
Manages to overcome its narrative shortcomings, which have, as I've already noticed, left some stupified, though Ishiguro's novel, which I've had the pleasure to read, remains unscathed. Romanek's emotionally engaging adaptation has a lot going for itself: The 3 leads are great, the music omnipresent yet never distracting. I would've cared for a larger focus on the ND Program and less on the interwoven relations but nothing not to warrant a recommendation.
Rated 14 Apr 2011
neonmanNeonman
Rated 02 Sep 2011
84
77th
Glad I knew nothing of this storyline before seeing it fed to me through steady dripping drops. I wouldn't want to spoil it for you, but if you know only of the film's DVD cover before seeing it, then you'll end being shocked at how dark and disturbing this sci-fi premise is.
Rated 02 Sep 2011
fliersFliers
Rated 20 Nov 2012
73
21st
Okay. Felt kind of...'hollow'. Didn't find the romance very believable. Well-composed shots.
Rated 20 Nov 2012
coinquatroCoinQuatro
Rated 23 Jan 2011
80
88th
Romanek's directing capabilities seem limited, but he's got Carey Mulligan and Andrew Garfield. He's got an amazing DP, Adam Kimmel. And he's got a novel here that, as flawed as it is, has to be one of the most maddeningly depressing ever written and Romanek managed to capture this on screen.
Rated 23 Jan 2011
cwcccwcc
Rated 13 Feb 2012
90
40th
Keira Knightly & Carey Mulligan shined, ravishing romance, discreet.
Rated 13 Feb 2012
vininimvininim
Rated 24 Mar 2011
80
55th
Touching movie. Has it's slips but is quite enjoyable.
Rated 24 Mar 2011
fthdfth.d
Rated 17 Aug 2013
60
47th
1-bütün insanı özellikleri taşıyıp "yaşama" dürtüsüne sahip olmaması 2- tıp, teknoloji olmadan gelişemez. filmde gelişmiş. 3- birileri çıkıp "öğrenilmiş çaresizlik" demesin. çitten çıktlarında öğrenmişlerdi "çaresiz" olmadıklarını. 4-kıskançlığın had safhada olduğu karakterin "intikamdan" yoksun olması gene insan doğasına aykırı.
Rated 17 Aug 2013
kmcneilKMcNeil
Rated 04 Feb 2011
8
84th
What Ishiguro does better than most modern writers is to infuse his stories with a sense of inevitably; love and human connections are glimpsed only momentarily before being eclipsed. 'Never Let Me Go' is a very good book that builds slowly to its crushing, almost nihilistic end. Romanek includes too many minor elements (Sales, porn mags etc) instead of fleshing out the characters' relationships, but it's still an extremely commendable attempt at filming a distinctly uncinematically paced novel.
Rated 04 Feb 2011
filmaddict72Filmaddict72
Rated 11 Mar 2013
75
20th
Great film, very haunting and leaves you distraught and pondering in the end. Beautiful work all around by both cast and crew.
Rated 11 Mar 2013
5z5qjrcfm25Z5qjRCfM2
Rated 25 Jun 2020
40
34th
The acting by the three leads was far better than the plot of this film.
Rated 25 Jun 2020
ryan_luedersRyan Lueders
Rated 27 Feb 2013
68
26th
Sadly this movie did let me go. It let me go down a path of despondency. This film leaves you feeling hollow. As hollow as a shelled out human body after all the organs have been removed. I enjoyed the retro-science fiction that this film portrays. I just hated how the characters are presented. I was rooting for Mulligan the entire time only to be left with a great sadness at the end. If you are looking for anything uplifting, you won't find it here. About as happy as a funeral.
Rated 27 Feb 2013
nepetaNepeta
Rated 10 Jan 2013
75
56th
I seem to have liked this more than a lot of people, though I was never the biggest fan of the book (I like the book and the film about the same). The book is thematically richer whereas the film can feel a bit shallow in comparison, but I really enjoyed the film's ethereal quality whereas the narrative style of the book irritated me at times.
Rated 10 Jan 2013
zozanZozan
Rated 17 Dec 2011
25
23rd
They may have souls after all but they dont seem to have any survival instincts or any rebellious actions or any urge to deny, revenge, question, run, hide etc. Even jumping of a cliff could have made more sense instead of lying on those operation tables.
Rated 17 Dec 2011
mlightle3mlightle3
Rated 21 Apr 2012
70
28th
Ummm, sure.
Rated 21 Apr 2012
bookhouseboybookhouseboy
Rated 28 Jan 2011
57
79th
#11#, reviews, Keira K, Carey M.
Rated 28 Jan 2011
astrakhanastrakhan
Rated 15 Apr 2011
83
89th
Pros: The trio of lead actors all give exceptional performances. The dialogue and narration are well-written. The film looks beautiful, with thoughtfully-composed shots of picturesque locations taken in flattering horizontal sunlight. The score is traditional but very well-suited. Cons: The only slight shortcoming is in the story, which is more or less a downward slider all the way, and lacks some dramatic tension or dynamics. But a very solid retro sci-fi film nonetheless, well worth watching.
Rated 15 Apr 2011
fichincefi_chince
Rated 29 Mar 2011
70
38th
Cinematography is beautiful, but overall, it doesn't compare favourably to the book. The book focuses a lot on small details to build characters, and those things are necessarily stripped out of the movie. The movie basically tells the plot, but doesn't make me care about the characters as much as I did when I read the book.
Rated 29 Mar 2011
catscandalCatScandal
Rated 12 Jan 2011
93
99th
great acting, great composition, great score. i'm a little torn on the screenplay. some elements, like the blending of the serene british period setting with the bleak sci-fi concept, work really well. but others, like the reliance on narration and the closing lines show too little adaptation from the original story and play a bit too direct on screen. overall, though, one of the better films of the year.
Rated 12 Jan 2011
derekstarDerekstar
Rated 06 Dec 2010
90
85th
I was kind of not looking forward to this, but it's fantastic. Carey Mulligan is so damned compelling, I'm reaching the point where I'll watch her in anything. The whole "what is a life well lived," and "spending more time thinking about yesterdays than tomorrows" stuff really speaks to me, and this movie does it especially well. And it's with young actors, which makes it both more tragic and more relate-able. P.S. if anybody can think of a good Logan's Run/Never Let Me Go joke, let me know.
Rated 06 Dec 2010
perrystroikaPerryStroika
Rated 11 May 2013
60
39th
This adaptation feels too truncated, containing only the skeletal outline of the richly sketched relationships of the book. Perhaps should have been a miniseries. To the extent that it works, its due to some very good acting. Mulligan's wistful tenderness particularly stands out.
Rated 11 May 2013

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