Rarely does a film come along where we are afforded the luxury of knowing absolutely nothing about the plot. I find this to usually be my preferred method of watching a movie, so I can be completely open-minded and surprised. When Never Let Me Go came out in September 2010, the only thing I knew was that it starred Carey Mulligan and Andrew Garfield, two of my favorite actors. I went in completely blind, and was incredibly and absolutely blown away.
When the film ended, I didn’t want to leave the theater because I didn’t want to break the spell the film had created, nor disturb the emotional effect it had on me – and I was crying buckets. I truly think this film was the best of 2010, and was shocked and outraged when it was overlooked, not only by viewers, but by the awards. Both Golden Globes and Oscars completely snubbed the incredible performances given by all three leads.
I have been championing the film since its release, begging friends and neighbors to see it. I wanted to play it at the New Beverly as soon as possible, but Fox Searchlight told me that out of all of the hundreds of prints made, only two remained. One was irreparably damaged, and the other on long-term loan to a cruise ship. Whether they were telling the truth or not, I can’t say, but I will say that I am completely overjoyed that we will finally be showing it at the New Bev on January 11th and 12th with (schedule permitting) director Mark Romanek in attendance both nights.
If I have ever implored you to attend a film I have booked at the theater, and you haven’t come, you owe me one. Please come see this film. Please tell everyone you know to come. It is beautiful, masterfully shot and performed, disturbing, the most interesting use of science fiction I have seen and completely heartbreaking.
This is the kind of film I hope to be seeing more of, and the kind that I hope one day to star in myself.
Romanek himself picked the doubles’ second feature, Truffaut’s Fahrenheit 451. I have read the book, but never seen the film and am very excited to see it, especially to compare the similarities to Never Let Me Go.
3 responses to “Never Let Me Go”
UT
January 9th, 2012 at 14:04
Honey, I am so glad to know that you have learned at an earlier age than I that people will BS you (FOX). And how common and surprising who will readily look in you the eye and lie. Figuretively and literally That should bode you well in your field. Also, your persistence is a nice family trait that you have embraced. I will have to look for a chance to see the movie.
Love,
UT
emberglance
January 10th, 2012 at 17:10
I’m so glad to know there are other people out there who liked this film as much as I did. Hopefully it will be one of those classics about which people in the future will say “did you know it was a total flop when it was first released?” I hope I’ll be able to make the screening.
Unsungpoet
May 17th, 2012 at 17:21
Wow your passion is awe-inspiring…that you didn’t want to leave the theater to disrupt the emotional affect, and your buckets of tears!!! I didn’t know there were still other people on earth who feels so deeply and takes to heart stories and sagas of the human condition…So awesome…I’ll have to check out that movie to be sure…thanks for leaving it a surprise!
3 Trackbacks / Pingbacks
Mark Romanek Pairs Never Let Me Go with Fahrenheit 451 in Los Angeles | MoviesandCelebrity.com January 10th, 2012 at 23:49
[…] remains dedicated to screening 35mm) only a little over a year after its initial release. From Marchese’s blog: I have been championing the film since its release, begging friends and neighbors to see it. I […]
Mark Romanek Pairs Never Let Me Go with Fahrenheit 451 in Los Angeles | Movies and News January 11th, 2012 at 02:03
[…] remains dedicated to screening 35mm) only a little over a year after its initial release. From Marchese’s blog: I have been championing the film since its release, begging friends and neighbors to see it. I […]
Mark Romanek Pairs Never Let Me Go with Fahrenheit 451 in Los Angeles - Movieline January 11th, 2012 at 13:40
[…] remains dedicated to screening 35mm) only a little over a year after its initial release. From Marchese's blog: I have been championing the film since its release, begging friends and neighbors to see it. I […]