You can often tell a movie is based on a book by the different way the scenes transition I find. The ones based on books tend to be a lot more choppy, while screenplays written directly for the screen tend to have more drawn out scenes. 'Never Let Me Go' was indeed based on a book and you can tell very quickly. This isn't necessarily a bad thing and can often actually mean the pacing of the film is better than with the alternative. I'm always let down when I've read and enjoyed a book and then see the film so I'm glad I saw this first.
The movie has three very talented lead actors, however the extended opening of the film requires the characters to all be in child form. This is a daunting thing for the film to take on because the kids have to carry the film for all that time. They do an okay job, nothing special. The best thing they did though was find kids who looked exactly like their older selves. Carry Mulligan's child version in particular was uncanny.
The film is pretty grim in nature when you think about it afterwards. It certainly isn't a feel-good film. It leaves you with some thoughts about the purpose of life and some conscious thoughts that mankind might have to deal with one day in the future. I wouldn't say I loved the film, but it was solid and enjoyable enough to sit through and not look at my watch.
The movie has three very talented lead actors, however the extended opening of the film requires the characters to all be in child form. This is a daunting thing for the film to take on because the kids have to carry the film for all that time. They do an okay job, nothing special. The best thing they did though was find kids who looked exactly like their older selves. Carry Mulligan's child version in particular was uncanny.
The film is pretty grim in nature when you think about it afterwards. It certainly isn't a feel-good film. It leaves you with some thoughts about the purpose of life and some conscious thoughts that mankind might have to deal with one day in the future. I wouldn't say I loved the film, but it was solid and enjoyable enough to sit through and not look at my watch.