Kathy H., Ruth, and Tommy (Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightly, and Andrew Garfield) were seemingly normal kids in an English Boarding School in the 1950’s. The school was not the richest, but the kids seemed not to put too much care into materialistic things. They were very well taken care of: Fed a very healthy diet and vitamins, every scratch and fall taken care of immediately by a physician, and provided a well rounded, spectacular education. As they grew older, they realized their ever rushing fate… to become organ donors for the rest of society, and before they reached 30 years of age, reach “completion”, or death. Once accepting of their fate, two must now race against the clock to see if their love can grant them an extension, so that they might be granted a couple more years together.
I have to say, I was not ready for the depressive tone of this film when I went in. I warn you, that unless you are ready for a thinker, or something that will leave you somewhat saddened, then maybe you should wait to see this one… save it for a rainy day. In any event, it is still one to watch.
Carey Mulligan was simply stunning in her performance. She was believably vulnerable and strong at the same time. Her character has to deal with a great deal of love, betrayal, and acceptance, yet she does it with grace and ease. She was meant to play the role of Kathy H. Keira Knightly was perfect to play Ruth as well. Her character was more of the rebellious one, filled with spite. Still, you could see through her to the good, and Knightly portrayed this brilliantly! Andrew Garfield played the innocent and starry-eyed Tommy quite well. Bashful and shy, yet compassionate… Garfield played his character to a tee.
This was a great movie if you don’t over think it. Obviously the children were brainwashed into thinking that this was their destiny: To die so that the rest of society will live. The only thing that I question is that if they were smart enough to question if true love could get them an extension, and to contemplate their purpose, why did they not think of running. Yes, they were micro-chipped, but if they were fighting so hard for an extension, why did no one even contemplate the thought of running? Yes, I know they were brainwashed… but if they could think of ways to gain an extension, they had to think of ways to run… just saying.
Still, the fact that Oscar buzz is already surrounding this film is no surprise. Overall, it really is an incredible film. It makes you think about the direction society is going, and about our future as a human race.
