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richardgglloyd
Reviews
Never Let Me Go (2010)
A Heartbreaking But Rewarding Experience
I watched this film in the cinema at the beginning of last year. I have recently watched it again now it's out on DVD.
Whilst the main 'science fiction' premise is a bit tricky to get your head round (it traces the lives of 3 young people from 70's to 90's living in an alternate reality following a 'breakthough' in medical science that cured all illnesses) the film uses this as a vehicle to pour on layers of emotional content that is sadly missing from many of today's films.
However, the real heart of the film are the scenes involving Kathy 'H' and Tommy 'D' (palyed by Carey Mullligan and Andrew Garfield.) The acting is top drawer and brings with it moments of real beauty and heartache in equal measure.
In fact the quality of the cast at times makes this a bit of a tough film to watch, but ultimately rewarding. But if you want to see a challenging film with heartfelt emotion as opposed to a load of giant robots destroying earth, give this a go.
During One Night (1960)
WWII Psychological Drama/Romance
World War II was a extra-ordinary time. Those who lived through it must have felt rawest of emotions as it must have felt like the next day could well be their last.
The story begins with British based American Bomber Captain Dave on a mission. Suddenly a bomb explodes and his colleague is injured in a rather sensitive area and doctors are forced to amputate his "Manhood". Unable to deal with this emasculation, Dave's friend commits suicide.
Dave has just one mission left until his return to the US but decides to go AWOL as he struggles to come to terms with his friend's death. Living the night like his last, he vows to lose his virginity before daybreak.
After a disastrous attempt to 'deflower' himself with a prostitute, a depressed Dave gets drunk at the local pub and falls asleep. He wakes up at closing time and is helped by Jean, the kindly daughter of the landlady played by the terrific Susan Hampshire
Angry and confused Dave does not see the girl wanting to help him. With the use of a well thought out script, the two youngsters peel back the emotional layers to finally find common ground to begin a loving relationship.
This is one of those little gems of a movie which has some terrific acting from the leading roles - you genuinely want them to fall in love. It is proof once again that concentrating on the development and interaction of characters brings the audience into a movie in the way slick special effects and stunts just cannot.
In addition, for 1961, the adult themes and scenes of nudity must have been extremely risqué for time, although extremely tame by today's standards.