Change Your Image
bobapplwizard
Reviews
Never Let Me Go (2010)
Beautifully tragic
Others have reviewed and written about the artistic film work, acting, scenery and directing. I have not and will not read the book. After reading several of the reviews (certainly not even most) I find it astounding that no one commented about the evil of human cloning and the total mis portrayal of the motivations of the human spirit. If the film has captured the essence of the novel I apologize and was true to it than I condemn the book as well.
Absurd at its face is the bizarre acceptance of their fate. While we all "complete" we are universally endowed with the will to live, motivation to thrive and achieve, procreate and experience life to its fullest as best we can or are able. The film (and book, perhaps) totally avoid/miss this 800 lb gorilla.
I thought the use of soft, mild coloring versus vivid and bright images alludes to the almost experience of the clones, coming close to experiencing life but never fully. There are no strong expressions of normal extremes of emotions with the exception of Tommy's outbursts. there is no joy, only smiles. No anger, just disappointment. The passivity is maddening.
Disgrace (2008)
this is a spoiler review
I've NOT read the book and WILL NOT as I was deeply disturbed by the movie. This was a quality production, above average direction with very good performances, especially Malkovich, always weird but great. I saw two important themes; the main character Lurie's dispassionate, self-absorbed and arrogant existence (and an eventual partial thaw)amid the chaos and turmoil as South Africa reverts to a lawless culture as the structure accorded by apartheid unravels. The core of the plot is not Lurie but he and his daughter's relationship with their world around them as they lose their favored white status and grow fearful of racially-motivated violence. Malkovich shines as his character's aloof persona moves about unhurriedly and only the most disturbing event imaginable gets him riled to the point of some level of action. I believe the greatest disgrace, among several is Petrus' reaction to the rape and violence perpetrated upon his white neighbors. His matter-of-fact behavior, deceit and rationalization is absolutely astounding. The inference I drew is that as whites they had it coming to them. Also a disgrace is the decision by Lucy to remain even though she knows she was a target for the jackroll and may be again. It's clear that as a white woman she is a favored target. That Lucy and David lower their guards to perhaps prevent the assaults is almost beyond belief and shows the naiveté and vulnerability of these whites who fall from power. The movie reveals the deep racism and hatred in South Africa.