Friday, November 15, 2013

Inspiration | Never Let Me Go (2010)

Never Let Me Go is based on the novel of the same by Kazuo Ishiguro. It's a dystopian sci-fi film, though from the caps and pictures I've found, you wouldn't assume that. The film stars Carey Mulligan as Kathy, Keira Knightley as Ruth, and Andrew Garfield as Tommy. The film tells the story of three Donors, Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy. We follow their lives, more prominently Kathy's, from their childhood at boarding school straight until Kathy sees Tommy completes (dies from) donating. In this dystopian universe, these children are clones created to donate their organs to whomever. In the novel, the children's purpose isn't made clear until maybe midway through, however in the film, it's clear to the audience but not to the children, at least to a certain point. We see Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy at Hailsham, a Donor boarding school famed for its experiment regarding whether or not the Donors are "real" human beings, whether or not they have souls. As we watch the film, we see love sprout between Tommy and Kathy as children, something that doesn't escape Ruth's eyes. She in a way "steals" Tommy from Kathy and sometime in their 20s, reaches out to Kathy who is a Caretaker (someone who cares for the Donors as they're completing) with the hope to make amends with her childhood friend. By doing this, she sets off a series of events that leads to Tommy and Kathy realizing that they cannot stop the donation process, that they won't be able to spend the rest of their lives together. It sounds awful and sad and you know what? It is. I can't read the book or watch the film without being a bawling mess by the end of them. I also find myself angry with Kathy and Tommy because despite their unhappiness with the fate of dying too soon, they do nothing to stop it, to fight against this terrifying system. The film and book are perfect examples of the dystopian sci-fi genre, except for that one fact. Their complacency with their fates is the only bad thing about this.

Anyway, I chose this as an inspiration because this film is gorgeously done. The cinematography is incredibly beautiful and works well to create a sense of loneliness and smallness. This is such a delicate and meditative film. It's a film about empathy and I just, I love it so much. On a shallow note, the wardrobe from this film is perfectly cozy and mundane. Even in the muted colours, there is a slight comfort and warmth to be found in them. I find myself coveting Kathy's wardrobe. When she's older and a caretaker, Kathy sports the classic trench coat and never have I wanted a trench coat moreso then now. 


No comments:

Post a Comment

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...