This dark-themed movie is punctuated with various moments of subtle British humour, balancing the darkness and giving the audience the occasional much-needed release from the movie’s tension. The cinematography is richly filmed and realistically gritty, the depravity of human corruption is depicted in vivid scenes. The special and visual effects of the film were an amazing surprise. You know when an effect is done well when you cannot tell when it is real and when it is computer generated.
This movie comes at a perfect time. As conflicts rage around the globe this film reminds us that as long as we maintain our humanity, hope is never lost. As long as the majority of people continue to view terrorism, murder and violence as alien acts of hate, as inconceivable actions in their own lives . . . we will have earned our humanity.
This understated film will be one of 2007’s surprise sleeper hit and will no doubt continue on as a cult classic.
Based on what I have heard, I had come into this movie with the reasonable expectation that it would be good. Now, after viewing the film, to say I was entertained is an understatement. So few films manage to balance the story within while challenging the viewer with thought and Children of Men tells its tale eloquently while evoking some very strong emotions from the viewer. Spoiler Warning, read on only if you don’t mind knowing what happens in the film.
The year is 2027 and the world is in shambles after a massive 2006 pandemic renders Earth’s surviving females infertile. Britain has come under the rule of a fascist totalitarian regime as it tries to maintain order amidst a world declining into anarchy. A radical, IRA reminiscent, anti-government movement, dubbed the Fishes, are committing daily acts of terrorism. Britain’s borders are besieged by refugees (called Fugees) who seek solace only to find themselves forcibly detained in concentration camps, their human rights revoked.
Clive Owen pulls off a masterful performance as Theo, a depressed, self-absorbed Londoner who has never gotten over the loss of his son and the deterioration of his marriage with his estranged wife Julian, played by Julianne Moore. Theo is thrust into the action when Julian, who is now a Fishes council leader, enlists his aid in obtaining transport papers for a young woman, Kee (Clare-Hope Ashitey) . Theo agrees for a price, monetary greed being his motivation. Theo obtains the required documentation through his government connection, but the stipulation is that he must act as Kee’s escort or the papers would not be valid. Theo agrees to escort Kee for an additional fee. The plan is set for Theo to accompany the Fishes team in escorting Kee to the Fishes stronghold where she will then be handed over to another obscure group called The Human Project, apparently located somewhere in the Azores. On the way back to the stronghold, the group is ambushed, Julian is killed and general chaos ensues. Later that night, at the Fishes stronghold, it is revealed that Kee is pregnant, the first human child in over 18 years. Theo wakes in the middle of the night to hear a plot to use Kee and her child as a figurehead for the movement, Julian’s death was planned and an uprising is scheduled that will plunge Britain into anarchy. The die is now cast, Theo makes a life-altering choice to become the pregnant Kee’s guardian, and a series of events lead Theo and Kee on a quest to The Human Project. Chased by government forces and Fishes, unlikely alliances are formed, sacrifices made, people die and a child is born.
Posted on January 28th, 2007 by Leo
Filed under: Reviews
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