When it's over, the first thing that comes to my mind is the word tragic. The film is based on the book of the same title by Kazuo Ishigoru about three friends (Kathy, Tommy, and Ruth) who grow up together at an English boarding school where they learn they are clones developed for the sole purpose of being harvested for their organs. The love shared between the three is strong and as they become young adults their love is put to the test as they await their fates to unfold. The three characters were well crafted and were played beautifully and hauntingly by Carey Mulligan (Kathy), Andrew Garfield (Tommy), and Keira Knightly (Ruth). Mulligan was especially brilliant as the main character who I thought really carried the film from beginning to end by conveying so much emotion without uttering a word. Unlike other human cloning films, this film focused in on the love story between these three friends and how they chose to live their lives knowing their fates were not their own. This film wasn't about rebellion, or running away, or about challenging a corporation, but rather, it was about emotions - the human emotions of regret, jealousy, love, forgiveness, loss, fear, redemption, and hope. In the film, these characters were thought of as "things" to be used and disposed of. However, as the viewer, we see the characters as so much more than lab rats. We forget they are clones, because they become so real as we relate to their hopes, their sadnesses and their heartbreaks. We grow to care for them as unique individuals, not clones, and that's where the tragedy lies, because what happens to them simply isn't fair or humane. I think the film brings to surface some ethical issues worth discusssing as well such as: Are clones considered human? If you knew your fate was death, how would you live your life? Would you run? Would you fight back? Or would you want to live your life as normal as you could possibly make it for as long as you can?
My rating: 4.5 out of 5
I like how the film is very faithful to the book but unlike the book, it lacks a certain mystery that slowly unravels from one chapter to another. Although the characters are just clones, you get the sense that the story is really more about being humans. How we live our lives from day to day knowing we all die in the end anyway. Yes the characters have a much shorter expiration date and the purpose of their existence is very limited but I don't see that as any different than us.
ReplyDeleteIt's about the passage of time and how much of it is wasted by letting external hindrance as well as our internal doubts ruin what could have been the best experience. When I finished reading the book I almost felt like going back to my past relationship and just tell the guy we belong together... the story is that compelling.
This film just brings up so many questions. There's so much food for thought. I found myself still thinking about the film days after watching it.
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