Children of Men


What can I say about this film that hasn’t been said before. “Children of Men” is one of those films that after seeing it you just can’t get it out of your head. Alfonso Cuarón brings to life a near future that is bleak and dying. A world without children and a world slowly sinking into oblivion. He uses immigration, jihads, rebellion, and apathy to create a world that seems to have no hope. Using today’s headlines Cuaron shows us a glimpse of a world that could be. The film is based on P.D. James novel “Children of Men” and was published back in 1992. The movie provides us with such a unique view of the world that you’ll want to know more on how we got there. My only suggestion is go read the book.

“Children of Men” is one of those films that takes hold of you and doesn’t let go. It will affect anyone who sees it. I swear that after seeing it I just wanted to rush back home and hug my boys. I wanted to hear them laugh and run amuck as children do. I really can’t attest to Cuaron’s other films, which is a mistake that will be rectified soon on my part. I did see his 1998 film “Great Expectations” which was a bit more interesting then other works of that year. His film “Y tu mamá también” is a film that I’m anxious to see having heard many good things about it. Cuaron brings a certain detail to his filmmaking that envelopes you and makes you believe in the story. He is a very good filmmaker, and seeing “Children of Men” proves that.

I did say that the film depicts a world with out hope, and that is slowly dying. The film’s story provides us with hope, and it is this hope that propels the story forward. The last shot of the film is of hope, and maybe a better future. The ending does leave you up in the air after exhausting its audience in getting there, but I don’t think you’ll mind. Listen to the soundtrack if you doubt it. That’s all I’ll say about that. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone.

The performances by Clive Owen & Claire-Hope Ashitey are very real, and convincing. Michael Caine gives a really fantastic performance as Jasper Palmer. The cinematography is outstanding, and just the technical merit of the film is riveting to see. I cannot highly recommend a better film then “Children of Men”. I swear as a father of two I was deeply moved by its story, and seeing it made me envious of Cuaron’s talents as a filmmaker. This is a film worth buying when it comes to DVD just to hear the director’s commentary.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Alvin & the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009)

Image
When one has children, and they're home on winter break one needs to do something that the kids like to do. One solution was to take them to the movies. For entertainment for children this movie hits all the right buttons. For me it was a bit more slapstick then I cared for, but the kids loved it. The plot is lame, and the story is weak, but that's not the point in this movie. It's all about the site gags, and the funny situations our three main characters get into. Even I at times enjoyed the movie. Especially when I heard my two boys laugh at the antics on the screen. If you have little ones you can't miss with this. I even heard the wife laugh a couple of times at some jokes, so it does appeal to a wide variety of people. Even I wasn't immune to the sophomore jokes ad antics. It's fun for the family, and the kids will like it too. So I won't go into detail about the movie because there isn't much to say about the film. It's meant to be a distrac
Read more

Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (2011)

Image
I know, I know.  Long time, but I'm back and the first movie I review is a kids film.  Having children of my own they have grown up with Alvin, Theodore and Simon, so when this film hit the theaters you know I had to go. This is the third.  Yes the third film in the series of the chipmunk movies.  Each one is cute and interesting, but they are defiantly geared to the children.  In this film Dave and the boys along with the chipettes go on cruise.   Yes you remember them from the second movie don't you?  Anyhow the chipmunks get shipwrecked on an island after disobeying Dave ( Jason Lee ).  Dave and Uncle Ian ( David Cross ) also get shipwrecked on an island, and need to find the chipmunks.  That is of course if this is the same island as where the chipmunks are, and if you're thinking it isn't then I have a bridge to sell to you in Brooklyn. The movie is a bit of slapstick, and moral lesson for the kids.  Sure we laugh when the chipmunks cause havoc on the cruis
Read more

Megan (2022)

Image
The film Megan is a sci-fi/horror film with a lot of dark humor, which makes the movie so interesting to watch.  I had to say this was not on my radar to see.  I thought maybe one day on cable or streaming, but my youngest wanted to see it and so I was game.  I'm glad I did see this and I was pleasantly surprised how good it was.  I should also say seeing this at he movies was a treat.  The direction, the cinematography, and the whole feel of the film gave me an appreciation of this film that I would not have gotten otherwise. To label this a horror film would be a mistake.  It has horror elements in it but it's science fiction more than anything else with a dash of horror.  I do like that the film takes the old Frankenstein myth and updates it to the digital era.  I think because of this the film is a better for it.  The graphic violence is played off screen which works.  If you're a gore hound you will be disappointed, but it does not subtract from the film plot.  In fact
Read more