Children of Men

Children of Men was far superior to most of the "Best Picture" movies that M and I watched in preparation for the Oscars. I found the story taut and enthralling, the acting very natural and unforced, the art direction incredible, and the cinematography involving.

What I particularly liked was that they just set you into this world, one about 20 years in the "future," give you only the basic idea of what that world entails, and then let you work it out as the film progresses. Of course, the fact it is set in the future makes people categorize this as "sci-fi." Which is too bad; had that label not been applied, this film may have had a better box office and chance at awards. With the exception of just a few scenes, this movie could have just been a war story taking place in any embattled city existing today.

The basic plot is that human beings have become infertile. Those women who can get pregnant cannot carry it to term. It has been 18 years since the last child was born and still no one has a reason or response to the infertility. Either because of that, or just because the world was heading that way anyway, most of the world is at war with itself. England has closed its borders and is trying to maintain its way of life in a world gone mad.

Clive Owen is Theo, just a guy in this world, who is suddenly thrust into the middle of the chaos when his estranged wife asks him for help transporting a mysteriously pregnant "fugee" (refugee) woman to a near-mythical boat operated by the Human Project-- the last free group truly trying to solve the infertility problem. He plays the reluctant but real man with effortless conviction. When one close to him dies, he walks away, slugs a drink from him flask, tries to light a cigarette, and then collapses and cries by a tree. But, when they must move on, he quickly composes himself and gets up again. Owen makes it so believable how Theo just tries to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Claire-Hope Ashitey is a fresh face as Kee, the pregnant woman. She is totally believable as a confused woman who doesn't know who to trust but knows she must get her baby to somewhere safe. She is running primarily on a mother's instincts, especially as she has never seen another pregnant woman and doesn't know what to expect.

Michael Caine has a small supporting role in the film as one of Theo's friends and confidantes. He is surprisingly effective and robust in the role. He lends a little humor, but not distracting humor, to an otherwise dramatic and somewhat bleak movie.

I respect Alfonso Cuaron's vision for this film. It almost feels at times like you are watching a documentary. The world is so real it is frightening. And that reality, the way in which you just see this world as far as the camera's lens can see, makes it easy to suspend your disbelief and just marvel at the film. It allows you to be totally involved in the film. There is almost no CGI in this movie and nearly all of the effects involve real stunt work and special effects (actual bombs, real buildings, etc.). And it is the smallest details that make the world so believable; the graffiti, the TV ads in the background, the incredible autos and costumes-- the art director didn't miss a thing.

Another part that I found impressive was the music. Or lack of it. For most of the film I didn't hear or notice the music, if any was even in the scene. What music was used was so perfectly placed and made so much sense that it was nearly invisible. In two places, the music is purposefully noticeable and it is almost jarring. However, for those scenes, that is the point; they are supposed to be jarring and make you stand up and take notice. The second of these was doubly incredible because it referenced something that one character said almost in passing really early in the film and plays with it.

Lastly, the film doesn't draw any conclusions for you. You can debate the story, where they chose to end it, and the world presented. You can debate the ethics presented. You can even discuss what you would do in that world. However, don't get me wrong-- the film does end. It just purposely leaves off at a spot with no clear cut solutions or pat answers. Matter of fact, had they put the pat, Hollywood ending on it, it would have ruined the entire film. By leaving it off where they did, the film ends with the same bleakly hopeful note it plays throughout.