Friday, August 20, 2010

Capsule Review: Children of Men (2006)

I remember seeing Children of Men in theatre back in 2006 and having my mind completely blown by Alfonso Cuarón's dystopian science fiction film. I'll admit that it was the flashy one-take sequences - stitched together digitally - which first captured my imagination, but on repeated viewings the film proves to be densely layered and with some unforgettable moments. Clive Owen gives one of his best performances as Theo Faron, a former activist who finds himself having to escort the pregnant Kee (Claire-Hope Ashitey) to safety in a future where infertility has brought humanity to the brink of extinction. Futuristic without falling into usual sci-fi trappings, Cuarón's vision of the near future (the film takes place in 2027) seems frighteningly plausible, and - as the best science fiction films do - comments strongly on the post world post-9/11. 

2 comments:

televiper said...

The tracking shots in this film are incredible. This is one of the few films of the 00's that I think will truly stand the test of time. An incredible experience every time I see it.

Doug Tilley said...

I'm always a bit hesitant when it comes to films which take place in the near future, but Children Of Men does such a great job of the heightened reality - it's our world pushed forward just a bit - that I think you're right. The technical aspects might lose their luster a bit, but the storytelling is still so strong and the emotional moments - like when Clive Owen walks out of the demolished building with the child - will maintain their quality.