Rating of
4/4
Children of Men review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 08/18/11
The setting is 2027 in London where no child has been born for 18 years and Britain a military state for detained immigrants. Theo Faron (Clive Owen) has been involved with an activist group known as “Fishes” led by his wife Julian Taylor (Julian Moore). She asks for a favor to bring a female refugee named Kee (Clare-Hope Ashitey). Luke (Chiwetel Ejiofor) has plans for the baby and alters the plan of Julian which involves taking her life. Miriam (Pam Ferris) is a religious midwife who accompanies Kee and is befriended by Theo. Theo’s hippie blithe friend Jasper Palmer (Michael Caine) helps in saving Kee and guiding them to the Tomorrow boat that would lead to the Human Project. Theo and Kee encounter a myriad of dangerous obstacles which involve Luke, Syd and the “uprising.” Miriam does her part in helping Kee in arriving to the boat but was captured by one of the guards who check buses they rode on. In the end, Theo becomes a protector and is the primary reason Kee and the baby survives. Some thought provoking lines in the movie: Jasper – “So why bother if life’s gonna make its own choices?” “Your baby is the miracle the whole world has been waiting for.” “Everything is a mythical, cosmic battle between faith and chance.” Theodore Faron – “Same as every other day. Woke up, felt like $h!^. Went to work, felt like $h!^.”
Excellent character development, one of the greatest screenplays/plot and realistic cinematography was perceptible during the picture. The script was captivating and despite the gloomy premise the film manages to append humor. Its musical background connected well in certain scenes such as the divine walk from the chaos of the war from Theo and Kee while soldiers and civilians gawk at the sight of the most sacred entity they have witnessed in a long time. The special effects and camera’s direction made you felt you were included in the film, from the car scenes to the moment where Theo searches for Kee when Luke abducts her. Clive Owen played a typical ordinary man who goes to work daily and transform into a savior, expressively shown his emotions for his loved ones demise and concern for his fellow artist. It was a glorious performance that exemplified humanitarianism and heroism at its finest with relying on any sort of violence. Cast did a splendid job in making each scene electric. So many themes and symbolisms such as religious undertones (Theo and Kee’s character as Joseph and Mary, since Kee jokingly mentioned about virginity and Theo protecting them incessantly/sign of the cross or “Jesus Christ” is mentioned when people see the baby), political agenda (the military and fishes who want to use the baby), societies imperfections (the military’s treatment of refugees/ chaotic surroundings/violence), chance (Theo/Jasper/Miriam and Julian’s passing), life (Kee’s birth to her baby), faith (Theo saying everything will be alright/soldiers kneel and make the sign of the cross after seeing a child) and hope (the birth of Dylan/children laughing/making it to the ship Tomorrow). The character’s name Kee, in my opinion implies that she is the “key” to a brighter future. In the words of the eclectic but genuine Miriam “everything happens for a reason.” Movies should be this good to be effective. A cinematic epic at its best has been created, this I am glad Children of Men happened for a reason.
