Indifferent to it all, government clock-puncher Theo Faron (Clive Owen) anesthetizes himself to the daily grind with frequent swigs of whisky. Theo’s stupor is so complete that earth-shattering current events barely register. But a bop on the head, an encounter with an old flame and an attractive proposition awakens the one-time activist. Sufficiently incentivized, Theo uses his government contacts to obtain transit papers for Kee, a ‘fugee member of the Fisher movement who also happens to be the first pregnant woman in almost two decades.  

A cautionary tale from co-writer and director Alfonso Cuarón (Y Tu Mama Tambien), Children of Men is a breathtaking portrait of a bleak not-too-distant future.  Cuarón magnificently crafts a vision of a tomorrow yet to come that is firmly rooted in the here and now.  Hot button issues such as nationalistic foreign policies and immigrant strife are at the forefront of this extraordinary film.  Since these issues are woven adroitly into a narrative that is spiced with action, the film is not only a geo-political head trip; it is also a thrilling jaunt through the British countryside.  

Set to an eclectic soundtrack that propels Children towards its climax, the film is a provocative tale in which the protagonist, Theo, performs his everyman deeds to save Kee, the damsel in distress.  The gripping intensity of each moment is captured with brilliant photography, resulting in battle scenes and car chases that whet the action appetite. Religious symbolism also permeates the film as Theo faithfully guides a miraculously impregnated woman on a tumultuous journey to a future heralded by a chorus of yelping animals.

The film is based on the best-selling novel The Children of Men by P.D. James. And although Cuarón’s story is set in 2027, the film is not a technology-laced narrative that vilifies artificial intelligence.  Instead, Children is an eerily realistic exploration of despair, inhumanity and hope in a society of man’s making.

Clive Owen invigorates the antihero archetype with his portrayal of a British bureaucrat unaffected by the world around him until his past enters his present and confronts him about the future.  Overall, the stellar performances of the ensemble cast enliven the film and newcomer Clare-Hope Ashitey is delightful as the impish Kee. M

December 2006

MoQuotable(s)

None

Genre(s)

Action, Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Alfonso Cuarón

Writer(s)

P.D. James (novel)

Distributor

Universal Pictures

Filming Location(s)

• England, UK
• Uruguay
• Argentina

DVD Extras

Not Available

Official Site

Children of Men