Never Let Me Go: It's a wonderful life. ****

Once in a while a story comes along that is not only hard to tell but also very hard to swallow. I think film makers sometimes relish with these kinds of stories because of their challenge but also because of their character driven stories. Some movies have come out that are purely character driven plots, rather than plots with twists that happen to the characters, the plot twists are what happens within the characters. "Never Let Me Go" is one of those movies with a story that is unbearably emotional but also very endearing. One can't help but empathize with this movie and it's three characters.

Mark Romanek brings us a story that is adapted from the book of the same name whom stars Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield, and Keira Knightley. At first glance this movie looks like something from "Pride and Prejudice" or "Atonement" but it's clearly a much different beast. It's a story about three kids that grow up in a boarding school, they slowly grow older and one girl falls in love with they boy, but then the other girl takes him because she does not want to be alone. This love triangle between Tommy (Garfield), Ruth (Knightley), and Kathy (Mulligan), is ever blazing in this movie. These three actors bring a presence to the movie from the sweet and passive Kathy, to the ferocious and edgy Ruth, to the awkward man that Tommy becomes. These kids grow up and soon learn a disturbing and dark secret about why they exist. The movie takes a science fiction turn for the good, I was not expecting this in this film, it transcends many genres but mainly it focuses on the lives of three people and the power of relationships both love interests and friendships.

I can see how some people will find this movie boring and unappealing but these people clearly do not appreciate character driven stories. The acting is so appealing and blazing that these characters are given moments throughout the film. To sit and watch two people who are deeply in love look into each other's eyes is breathtaking. It's interesting to see the different dynamics and themes presented throughout the film. This film has depth and substance. The contrasts between the two love stories, Ruth and Tommy have just a sexual relationship, and Kathy and Tommy are deeply in love, this love lasts the entire span of their short lives. It's also interesting to see the dynamic between the principal of the boarding school, she looks at her "subjects" like she is jealous that they live simply but fast lives, she's almost wanting to be young and never had grow old. This movie is filled with substance and characterization which means multiple viewings are required. It's a story that isn't nice though, nothing in this movie is feel good, and it's a very sad movie, but in between the sadness this movie shows us how beautiful life is, even when it's cut a little short. It's a hard story that teaches us how precious life is, and when two people fall in love, their love transcends death itself. This film is stunning and beautiful, it's simple but deep, and it's storytelling is masterful and is a must see for any film lovers.