A decade before Alfonso Cuaron (Gravity, Roma) was winning Oscars for Best Director, he directed the critically acclaimed and now cult classic Children of Men, a post-apocalyptic thriller set in 2027 Britain. In this dystopian world, it has been 18 years since the last human was born. Humans have become incapable of reproducing for reasons unknown, resulting in a global fear that the extinction of our species is imminent. England is now the one remaining civilized society on the entire planet, making it a place where everyone can immigrate. The borders are strong, but people still illegally enter. Those caught are promptly placed into refugee camps. While this scenario may seem completely foreign to many of us, it should make us fear that lawlessness is entirely possible, and that situations like these are already happening (though not globally) in many of our smaller countries that cannot defend themselves.
Clive Owen (King Arthur, Inside Man) is our hero. He is living lawfully in London, where those who are legal are not allowed to leave the country, just as those who are not legal are not permitted to enter. Three main factions shape our story. First is the working British Government, the last of its kind on the planet. It is primarily responsible for hunting and detaining the illegals in the country. The illegals are called the Fugees. The second group is called the Fishes. These are insurgent groups determined to fight for the rights of the prisoners (Fugees) locked up throughout the country. The British Government deems them to be a terrorist organization. The third group is the Human Project, an organization hunting for a solution to the world’s reproductive problems. It is unknown if this organization exists or where it might be, but if it does, it will provide a haven for anyone who may have a child or may become fertile.
Once an activist, Theo Faron (Owen) is captured by the Fishes and their leader, Julian (Julianne Moore – Still Alice, The Hours). Theo and Julian, once married, have not seen each other in 20 years since their infant son died in the 2008 flu pandemic. Though Luke (Chiwetel Ejiofor – 12 Years a Slave, Secret in Their Eyes) captures Theo, blindfolds him, and takes him to an unknown location, we know he is safe when we learn about their relationship. Julian isn’t just going to kill her ex-husband. And while the Fishes did initially use terrorist means in their fight for immigrant rights against the British Government, they no longer use violence in trying to accomplish their mission. However, Julian’s motives aren’t entirely altruistic with Theo. She wants him to use his connections to get papers to help smuggle a young immigrant out of the country, and eventually to the Human Project. The immigrant is Kee (Clare-Hope Ashitey), and we can guess long before we are told she is pregnant. Like really pregnant.
Julian, Luke, and guardian/nurse Miriam (Pam Ferris – Where the Heart Is) must get Kee to safety and, now, because of events he didn’t suspect, Theo must get Kee across the border. Over the 109-minute runtime, we get an exhilarating chase through a futuristic world where anarchy is the norm. We get one of the most incredible car chase scenes of the decade when a legion of anarchists attack the group while attempting to flee from Homeland Security. Who these people are and why they attacked the car driven by Julian is unknown, but it doesn’t matter. It’s a fantastic sequence shot in one take and the tensest movie of a movie, keeping you on the edge of your seat the entire time.
Cuaron, who co-wrote the screenplay, is well-known for his visuals, and Children of Men is no exception. 2027 is dark and grimy. Its characters look like they haven’t had clean clothes in years. However, the city and country landscapes do not look artificial. Everything on set looks just like it would today, only much more worn. The score is eerie but soft, letting the characters breathe and do what they must. This film is character-driven, and it’s Owen’s best performance. Movies (and books) like Children of Men have inspired films and television shows such as The Road, World War Z, I Am Legend, The Book of Eli, The Handmaid’s Tale, and more.
Plot 10/10
Character Development 8.5/10
Character Chemistry 8.5/10
Acting 9/10
Screenplay 9.5/10
Directing 9.5/10
Cinematography 10/10
Sound 9/10
Hook and Reel 9/10
Universal Relevance 9/10
92%
A
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