Never Let Me Go is the haunting film adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s novel of the same name, providing a story that blends great characters, romance, and elements of sci-fi that create a touching story for so many reasons.  Too bad I just can’t mention most of them because any hint in the wrong direction will completely spoil what they effectively portray.

The story follows three individuals throughout their lives, spending a large percentage of the early part of the film at the boarding school they spent their childhoods at.  Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy are played by Izzy Meikle-Small, Ella Purnell, and Charlie Rowe respectively during their early ages, and though they hardly have the film cred under their belts that their older counterparts do, they are able to portray the confusion and naiveté of these characters that Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield, and Keira Knightley continue on with later in their lives.

The story is a dramatic blend of romance and elements of sci-fi that have appeared numerous times in films before, the latter part particularly to a certain film that will go without naming to keep what links them hidden.  Though that film is enjoyable for its action oriented, futuristic view of a specific topic, Never Let Me Go shines because of how subtly it hints at it without making it pull focus.  More often than not the fact that it has a scientific undertone is completely forgotten until it coldly rears its head in a jarring manner.  Instead the style and story sticks to presenting the lives of these characters through a more nostalgic lens, both through setting, time period, and way in which the film and environment is shot.  It breathes naturally much as the story itself does, which slowly developing as more and more is revealed.

The story really is one that will cause many a person to tear up because of the subject matter and characters presented, but when I read the book years ago I cannot remember being this drawn into the lives of the characters and feeling so strongly for them.  This is to say nothing against Ishiguro’s writing skills and in all honesty I think I am going to have to give the book another go around, but I think it speaks to the acting in the film.  Mulligan acts as the narrator and eyes into the story as Kathy, furthering her streak of roles in which it is impossible not to be drawn into, but she is far from alone in this.  Though Knightley has a meaner streak in her character’s personality, she too creates a depth to Ruth that makes her mood swings of rudeness to happiness completely understandable when taken in response to the characters’ innocent mindset and understanding of the world.  Rounding out the triangle is Garfield as Tommy, and though it is Mulligan who carries the audience with her it is his naiveté and ability to cling to hope that often brings on the heartbreak.

Whether it is the acting or story itself Never Let Me Go is an emotional ride that is able to accomplish much more than other films with a similar story thanks to the genre in which it is depicted.  It is a story that will make you think, discuss, and openly emote for reasons I cannot divulge, with images and ideas that will haunt long after you leave the theater.

Final Grade: A-