7/5/07

Children of Men



"Very odd, what happens in a world without children's voices."

4 Stars

That quote has left a stain on my memory.
I can't stop thinking about that statement. These sounds that we may find annoying or intrusive are given new meaning after this film.

2027. The human race has been plagued with a mysterious affliction that has caused all women to be infertile.
We are introduced to this new world by the tragic news that the youngest living human has been killed at the age of 18. Making it even more painfully clear that the human race is quickly dying with him.

The ongoing phenomenon has resulted in rioting, terrorism, and protests. The world is so hopeless, the popular pharmaceutical is Quietus. A peaceful at home suicide kit.
There is also a large problem with immigrants in the picture, which I didn't feel was fully explained. But after watching the special features I understand. The special features by the way are real downers. Failing Eco-system, end of the world. Bad times. The short of the problem, people are illegally migrating to better ecological countries. Too many immigrants mean less resources available. So they've got to go.

Our hero, Theo (Clive Owen) was once an activist with his ex-wife Julian (Julianne Moore). After the loss of their son he lost all the fight he had. Julian "reconnects" with Theo (We're not talking a chat over coffee.) asking for his help to transport a young immigrant Kee (Claire-Hope Ashitey) out of the country to The Human Project. Not really knowing why, Theo agrees and is quickly overwhelmed with the consequences.
He soon learns the truth of Kee's significance. She is pregnant.

This movie has had my mind racing. No more children.
I have never wanted to have children. Still don't. But this movie has me asking, if the world depended on it, would I try? I've had 2 dreams so far, that I am trying to get pregnant by strange means and keep failing.

A scene in an abandoned elementary school had me thinking, "I guess so.". No need for them anymore. Along with playgrounds, toys, or pediatricians. Kee is so young she has never seen a pregnant woman before, and has no idea how long she'll be pregnant for. I would think most prenatal care has been forgotten or at the least very hard to find.
Very thought provoking.

I had read a profile of Claire-Hope Ashitey in NYLON a year or two ago. I was so intrigued by the plot of the film she was working on, I wrote it on my movie list. Imagine my surprise during the preview to see Clive Owen starring. I thought I was in, but now I was all in. Hands down one of the best looking men I have ever seen.
And his voice? Like butter.
Michael Caine is fantastic as Theo's elder pot growing hippie friend. I was really close to choosing the quote "Pull my finger. Quick!" for this review.

The special effects are few but quality. The details of the environment put the viewer in the future.
Forget flying cars, I agree the future is going to be all about advertising.
Last about the effects, two words. The Birth.

Not only thought provoking, but exciting! A great action movie as well. My boyfriend pointed out that most action shots were one long take.
Very impressive.

Great movie. The missing star is for the cinematography. I really didn't care for
"the look" of the film.
That's just me.

Whitney was right. The children are our future.






2 comments:

Adare said...

"I believe the children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way..."

I agree with that wholeheartedly. Even though I (we) don't want kids, Children of Men also made me think about how without children around, it's an even sadder reminder of our mortality. I mean, I've come to have the attitude that even though I'm not going to have kids, others will take up that responsibility to the planet and everything will be okay, future-of-the-planet wise.

But, with this film (and yes I agree Clive is not so bad to look at) it was out of the hands of everyone that they weren't having children anymore. It's not like they chose not to have them, it just kind of happened, which is really the only part of the movie that bugged me. It didn't really give insight to the cause of something so devastating to humankind. Was it something divine? Was it a chemical reaction to pollution or something to that effect? Wish they would have enlightened us on that at least, even if their reason was ridiculous.

But regardless of that, the movie with its one-take action sequences and mise en scène (I actually love the film's gritty look, but you know that already :P), would have gotten a 4-star rating from me as well. The reason why, if there's anything I like in my movies it's knowing certain plot points as far as the end result of the movie. In this case why the infertility and wtf was The Human Project really?

Other than that, a good flick and a good night on the couch with my favorite girl in the whole wide world.

gino said...

i heard that the shot of the city battle when they entered the apartment till the point they left was all one take.