Children of Men

It has seemed so rare in the last couple of years to find truly unique movies - films that revolve around a unique idea or present a unique way of filmmaking. I had the pleasure of seeing one of those rare unique films Friday night in CHILDREN OF MEN.

Set about 20 years in the future, it features a world in chaos because there have been no human pregnancies in the world in 18 years. It is an incredible commentary on society and how the absence of a future so strikingly can affect the present. For some reason, only England remains standing without too much chaos or a toppled government; I'd love to hear thoughts as to why that creative decision was made (maybe it's as simple as that's where the production company was).

What I find most wonderful about the movie is how honest it is. The characters make decisions with little fanfare, and their choices are very real. The entire movie is always from the perspective of one man; While there are many opportunities for the filmmakers to go off on more interesting tangents following other characters, they stick to the vision and perspective of one man as human life passes before him. It's riveting.

Dan commented with about 30 minutes left in the movie that it was incredible stressful. And it is. But that is the result of the beauty of the film. You really become engaged in the characters and come to feel that the future of humanity truly rests on the shoulders of the several characters trying desperately to get to a ship called Tomorrow. Along with UNITED 93 and APOCALYPTO, it's easily one of the most gripping movies of the year.

I'll be curious to see where it ends up come Oscar time. It presently sits in my top five; But I don't know as it's the kind of film that could find favor with the Academy set.

FINAL ANALYSIS: A very well-made film featuring strong direction and performances from Clive Owen, Julianne Moore and Michael Caine. 9 out of 10

Comments

[monkeybutler]

Only Britain Soldiers On because Britain's an island and more easily fortefied than most countries. At least that's what the reasoning in the *book* was. But who knows, it could be propaganda.