Similar to The Handmaid's Tale (10/10 recommend the show if you haven't seen it, obviously read it first), I was intrigued to see how Hollywood would take a novel in which the narrator is rather passive when it comes to confronting the society. In the show adaptation of The Handmaid's Tale, Offred takes on a more active role and is inspiring to the audience. However, in Never Let Me Go, Kathy's behavior stays the same, along with the other characters, and there is no big rebellion against the cloning society. If I had not read this book prior to watching the movie, I would have seen this lack of action as a flaw, making the movie relatively pointless and boring. Thankfully, I had read the book and can understand that the slow and quiet plot emphasizes the theme of regret that everyone feels when facing an expiration date.
Throughout the movie, regardless of the setting changes, I always found it to be quite grey and full of neutral colors. This created a somber tone even when the scenery was quite beautiful. I was pleasantly surprised to find the acting to be quite true to the characters created by Ishiguro. Kath, played by Carey Mulligan, uses her facial expressions and quiet demeanor to portray a sweet and timid young woman. I think the movie does an excellent job showing her as a carer living in solitude, burnt out with just a little hope left, and somewhat desensitized to death. This is portrayed in the scene in which she is caring for a young woman. Kath brings her chocolates for after the surgery as a prize, but the woman doesn't end up surviving. Once she hears the news of her donor's death, she asks to fill out the forms as if nothing had happened. Ruth, played by Keira Knightley, makes you dislike her character until the end, as she should. I think my favorite scene of hers is when she is arguing with Kathy after they realize the woman in the office is not her clone original. Knightley does an excellent job talking down to Mulligan's character with a strong voice. Her deep disappointment makes it clear that out of the three characters, Ruth is always the one who wanted a future in the "real world" the most, while the others look back to their past. Andrew Garfield does a decent job playing Tommy, but other than his pleading gazes at Madame and Miss Emily while asking for a deferral, there is nothing too notable about his performance.
Throughout the movie, most of the dialogue is similar, if not the same, as that of the book. Whenever the setting changes, for example the move between Hailsham and the Cottages, Kathy's voice over interjects, preparing the audience for the next chapter. I find voice overs to be quite cheesy or out of place in many movies, but her calm and soothing voice fits well with the slow pace of the movie. One major aspect that was changed in the movie is the emphasis of jealousy, causing Ruth to seem even more mean. Instead of Madame catching Kath dancing alone with her pillow, Ruth does. Afterwards, we see Ruth kissing Tommy, allowing the audience to assume that Ruth was jealous of Kath and Tommy and decided to take control. I guess strengthening the love triangle idea is not unusual for Hollywood, but I preferred Madame's interpretation of Kath's dancing, bringing forth the idea of Kath's longing from a world with no clones.
At the end of the movie, there is a beautiful but very sad moment in which Kath and Tommy lock eyes before he is put under anesthesia. It flashes to their younger selves at Hailsham, looking at each other across the room in the same way. This scene symbolizes the love that they have for each other, but also reminds the audience of the lack of time they have together. After Tommy dies, the movie ends just as the book does, with Kathy looking out for all that she has lost in a field. This final scene with her voice over explaining how nobody has enough time on earth leaves me feeling uneasy.
Overall, this movie was okay. To be honest, the book was just okay as well. Some books stick with me months, even years after I close them, but I don't think this is one of those. I didn't feel like I connected to the characters enough to feel too upset. If you are thinking about reading this, I would recommend reading it pretty quickly. I feel that since I broke it up week by week, I lost touch with some of the details that would have heightened my emotional attachment to the novel. If you are bored on a rainy day and feel like watching a dreary movie, go for it!
Thanks so much for following along with my blog this past month! I hope you have enjoyed reading it as much as I have enjoyed sharing my hopefully coherent thoughts!
Your description of the movie and book as quiet is a perfect description. I watched the movie "Brooklyn" over vacation (though I haven't read the book yet, which is something I try to avoid) and it is similar in that there isn't a ton of action, but the quiet development of characters and their feelings was very well done. Perhaps that's another book/movie combo you can add to your list.
ReplyDeleteI loved "Brooklyn," I watched in on the plane to France my sophomore year, which was fitting even if I was only away from my family for a couple weeks! I didn't know it was a book but I will add that to my list.
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