For the
sake of not having to write the same intro a million
different ways throughout the rest of time, just know that
this column avoids the overly long and sometimes dull
process of full film reviews and instead opts to break
things down based on what I thought going in, what happened
while I was there and what I learned at the end of it all.
Thanks for reading!
The
Breakdown - Never Let Me Go
The Impression:
Never Let Me Go has always been one of those literary
compositions I’m most drawn to, well advertised, mysterious
in story, wrapped in a beautiful cover. The film adaptation
by Mark Romanek (One Hour Photo) has been similarly
well-marketed, and with an up-and-coming trio of actors at
its forefront, this film is afloat on promise and
expectation.
The Reality:
Romanek has seemingly achieved what so many other directors
struggle at, making a big budget Hollywood film that still
oozes originality and doesn’t cop to usual bullshit
Hollywood theatrics. The film, about a trio of
students and their strange dystopian lives, is both
beautiful in its cinematography and well performed by its
cast of young actors. The new Spider-Man himself
Andrew Garfield is particularly fantastic in this film,
giving Tommy a slew of subtle characteristics and motions
that allow us to grow with him throughout his short life.
Keira Knightly is also used well in the film, her gaunt good
looks, sharper and more sinister than possibly ever
portrayed. That said, though Carey Mulligan is
perfectly fine as the film’s narrator Kathy H., she
continues to craft a career on this sort of wet-eyed naiveté
she so easily expunges. It fits the role, but after
repeated viewings of Ms. Mulligan, I can only wonder if it
doesn’t seem a bit of a pony’s single trick.
Never Let Me Go exists in a creepier world than most
Hollywood fare these days, but still manages to exude a sad,
simple story that never goes too far in to its more
science-fiction aspects. Not to say that I don’t
appreciate a strong science-fiction bent, but Romanek
artfully melds the two worlds, creating a picture that is
prime for Oscar contention but still interesting enough to
throw down a ten spot to see it in the theaters.
Special kudos go to Rachel Portman for the swelling score
that applies a stunning layer of sadness across the whole
proceedings.
The Lesson:
Hollywood isn’t just a depressing hole of big-budget shit.
Noah Sanders is the blog/news editor at Light In The
Attic and a contributor at Sound On The Sound and
the KEXP blog. He also has his own
Criterion-based film site, Criterion Quest.
If you'd like to contact Noah in regards to his
writings here at Side One: Track One then please do
so
here.
- Noah Sanders
-
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