Children of Men

"This smoldering picture may be the bleakest movie you'll ever want to see twice." -- Stephanie Zacharek, Salon

I completely agree with the quote above. I saw Children of Men last night and couldn't be more impressed. Directed by Alfonso Cuaron (Y Tu Mama Tambien and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azcaban), this Mexican director has some skill!! It was dark, dire, intense, heavy, and soul-wrenching, but breathtakingly beautiful at the same time. Shot in a similar style to Saving Private Ryan, with long, uncut, hand motion camera work, you feel like you are really part of the action. The scenes are too engaging to focus exclusively on the camera work while it is happening, but looking back on it, the views and sequences that you remember seem impossible. In one particular car ambush scene, it seems like one continuous shot was used to make you feel as if you were in the backseat experiencing it all, while at the same time fully cognitiant of all that was happening outside.

The movie is set as a dystopia, somewhat similar to V for Vendetta, but with a much more dark and grave (and all too realistic) future that not only addresses the fictional problem of infertility but also the ever present reality of terrorism (except on a massive scale). The bleak futuristic setting is easily sold to the audience, and the characters created are just as believeable. Clive Owen is probably one of my new favorite actors.

Children of Men does, however, have its flaws. Some parts are excessively unbelievable, and undoubtedly the ending will upset certain people. Some pretty rough language and extremely violent images may not sit well with everyone.

While the film would not be considered a pick-me-up, it does offer the inspiration of choosing to live a life of meaning and purpose and promotes the great worth of human life. Please, go see this movie. It may not be a date movie, and you may wish for a pause button to be able to process what is happening, but you won't regret seeing it. At least I didnt.

Check here for a trailer, but be warned, it doesn't nearly do it justice.

Well, here's to an oscar nod, perhaps?