The trailer for Never Let Me Go (based on Kazuo Ishiguro’s latest novel) is live, and we have to agree with the Wall Street Journal: This is pure Oscar-bait. Starring Carey Mulligan, Keira Knightley, Charlotte Rampling and Andrew Garfield (Red Riding, 1974), the performances should live up to the nuanced source material and compelling story.
In fact, after watching the trailer, it looks like the transition to film will help ameliorate what was, to me, the novel’s major flaw–its detatched narration. Sure, it was a reflection of the way the students at Hailsham were conditioned to think of themselves, and it added to the chilling aspects of the novel’s premise (which, on the off chance the movie keeps it quieter than the book, I won’t reveal here), but it ultimately left me not caring as much about the students’ fates as I might otherwise.
Did you read Never Let Me Go? Will you see the movie?
Related in BookPage: our review of Never Let Me Go.
I agree completely that the book’s detached narration was a huge flaw for me when it came to connection with and caring about the story. But the movie does seem like it’s going to make the characters far more emotional which will likely make it more compelling. I’ll probably Netflix this one…