Well, this is a downer film based on a (presumably downer) book by Kazuo Ishiguro. The book was short listed for the Booker prize, so I'm sure it's fantastic (Ishiguro also wrote Remains of the Day - he knows what he's doing).
The story revolves around three children at what appears to be a boarding school. In fact, they are clones being raised to donate their organs until they die. They are brainwashed: their purpose is to "donate" to "originals" until they "complete" - or die.
The three form a young love triangle / friendship, eventually splitting up at about 19. Two become donors (Keira Knightley and Andrew Garfield), and the third becomes a "carer" (Carey Mulligan). This appears to be a hospice worker-type position, which is how she eventually stumbles across her childhood friends.
I don't know what the book makes you feel - that human life is not to be thrown away? That genetically altered people are still human? I'm not sure the point on this one - these kids run the gamut from tortured to resigned about their non-person status. I should read the book, but I don't want to!
Another problem for me is the world created for alternate-earth scenario movies. Often I feel it is very staged. Did you ever see the Handmaid's Tale? The movie just didn't look right, like a period piece without a period. On the other hand, I thought Pleasantville nailed it - what a gorgeous film.
The acting here is great - even Keira Knightley is ok - but I will not be recommending this to anyone.
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