Alles, was wir geben mussten

Alles, was wir geben mussten bietet eine weitere in einer Reihe von alternativen Ansichten der Zukunft, im negativen Sinne des Wortes, eine Welt, in der Menschen buchstäblich "gezüchtet" werden als Organträger für diejenigen, die es sich leisten können. Was die Thematik betrifft, so handelt es sich um einen fantasievollen Stoff, und auch die Besetzung war gut gewählt. Allerdings muss ich sagen, dass mir der Film nicht so sehr im Gedächtnis geblieben ist, wie ich es erwartet hätte, und dass die Eindrücke ein paar Tage nach der Vorführung verflogen sind. Kurz gesagt, es ist einer dieser Filme, die (nach den Auszeichnungen zu urteilen) eine perfekte Prämisse haben, aber bei denen es nicht einfach ist, ihre Atmosphäre, Mission oder was auch immer weiterzugeben. (08.02.2016)

A devastatingly gorgeous film that flows slowly, melancholically, and left a rather intense impression on me – either as a whole or "only" in a few strong scenes. The actors are well chosen, type-matched exactly to their characters, however Carey Mulligan is the most natural in her role. I haven't read the book, so I was quite surprised and "got" how initially the story of childhood love was transferred into a cold and harsh drama describing the principles underlying a kind of alternative world. Overall, the chosen form, with its pleasant chamber music and beautiful English realities, combined with a story that is the chilling and cynical towards the main characters, feels like a fist in the eye. Obviously that was the intention, which was handled brilliantly, and also one of the devices that ensured a very strong impression at the end. (03.07.2011)

I know that I should focus on how little Kathy H is magically peeking at her special idol, on watching the perfect Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield's perfect portrayal of the innocent Tommy D, or Keira Knightley's typically convincing acting. But I just can't because there were simply too many questions that bothered me throughout the second half. And they weren't pleasant question marks that I could answer myself to complete half-exposed plot mysteries. Unfortunately, these were questions that mostly start with the words "For God's sake, why...?" Logic takes one blow after another, an instinct for self-preservation flips into forced and desperate efforts – and I just can't bear it. I don't know if the book tries to address these plotholes, but either way, the adaptation fails brutally. (04.11.2012)

Sad. An untraditional plot in a traditional form. Romanek has a firm director’s hand and the acting performances are excellent. Hope is the driving force behind the story of Never Let Me Go, even so, like real life, it is always swept aside by a world that doesn’t want to understand that compassion for others is something that cannot be created. You either got it or you don’t. (10.04.2011)

A retro intimate alternative to Michael Bay's The Island, but Without the monstrous budget, cool set pieces and train axles flying down the highway. Never Let Me Go is a slow, seemingly ordinary romantic film with an uncompromising dose of the raw reality of an alternate version of the present world where the basic rules of medicine and human life are, in some fundamental ways, constructed very differently. The sad violins work, the pensive glances into the sunsets also work and so do the inner monologues. A smart and aware film that drags a bit in the middle, but the final 20 minutes are a reliable wrap-up and a confirmation that this is something you won't soon forget. (02.08.2021)