Comments on: TIFF ’10 Review: ‘Never Let Me Go’ Pleases The Eye, But Misses The Heart

By: Joie Tran

Joie Tran — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 17:35:57 +0000

I totally agree with Kevin with that clunky ending, like I despise films that end with a monologue "telling us the theme/moral/lesson of what we just saw" and it seems like Carey Mulligan should simply reject scripts with these banal epilogues (remember that last scene in An Education where she recalls her brand new life in Oxford, where did that come from???).

And even if Romanek is invoking some Japanese sense of mono no aware, why do the films of Ozu and Naruse seem more moving and poignant than what I just saw in these characters' passivity, Romanek choose the inert "pretty" path, while the Japanese masters figured out the dramatic tension between fleeting transgression and eventual acceptance.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 06:56:55 +0000

From an interview Romanek gave. (And Ishiguro is of Japanese background so its interesting.)

Romanek said he’s often asked why the young characters don’t rebel against the circumstances they’re forced into. He says he thinks the alternative — to stay and accept your lot — is far more interesting. His approach was heavily influenced by Japanese film and art from the 1950s.

“It’s a very American idea, I think, to fight and run,” said Romanek, who directed “One Hour Photo,” and chose a shabby, muted colour palette for his most recent film.

“I’m not an expert on Japanese culture but it’s my understanding that it’s considered heroic to fulfil one’s duty to society. It’s a more Japanese conception and the American conception is almost a 180. I live in London now and I’m still a bit shocked by the kind of class system that exists there that doesn’t exist in that same way here. It’s frowned upon for people to try to rise above their station in life.”

By: Trent

Trent — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 06:34:55 +0000

That's too bad, man. This is one of my 'must-see's on the year, but I'm not shocked by the idea that it's somewhat empty.

That's so scary that someone so cultured and sensitive and talented can put so much heart and soul into pop videos, but that can't translate into features for him. How bizarre.

By: mishupishu

mishupishu — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 04:07:29 +0000

I've yet to see the movie but it sounds like Romanek captured the heart (or lack of, if you want to look at it another way) of the book perfectly. When I read it, I had many of the same questions that you raise in the review. You want these characters to fight for their lives, to have passion and strive forth with the amazing human ambition to express life. Unfortunately that has nothing to do with this story. Were not supposed to feel too deeply for these characters. Even though they seem so much like ourselves, they are ultimately disposable and having empathy for such characters only brings to light our own complacency toward the wrongs that exist in this modern life.