The Last One To Die Please Turn Out The Light

Hey people!

I love cinema. It's kind of my first love, more than anything else. And I really have a fondness of indie's. But once in a while a great movie from a great director who's been given a sizeable budget just grips you and hold you for a long time. Such is 'Children Of Men'. Read on below for my thoughts on the movie. I'll be posting reviews of two other films by two extremely gifted Mexican directors. But that's later. Till then Hasta La Vista!

A well crafted adaptation from the book by P.D. James, Children of Men is one of the finest and well made movies of the year. Gifted director Alfonso Cuaron truly excels in one of his best films to date which makes the audience grapple with the multitude of political and social issues including immigration and fascism. This sci-fi action thriller takes place 21 years (actually 20 years now) in the future where women have suddenly become infertile and the last child was born in 2009. The world is in chaos and destruction. Only Britain is shown to muster on, barely. Enter Theo Faron (Clive Owen), an ex-activist turned bureaucrat trying to come to terms with his own demons. In the opening scene, we get to see Theo, whether out of fate or out of chance, escape a terrorist bombing in a coffee shop in Central London. Shaken due to how close he was to getting blown to pieces, he travels out of London to meet his old political cartoonist friend Jasper (Michael Caine) who grows his own weed in the forest surrounding his house. Later Theo is kidnapped and brought to his one time old flame and fellow activist Julian Taylor (Julian Moore). They had previously met 20 years ago at a rally, fell in love and had a son who died soon later in a flu pandemic which left them both scarred. Theo by fate and/or chance playing his way finds out that Julian is protecting a pregnant woman who can be humanity’s last salvation. Doing so, he becomes involved in the process of safe-guarding the woman and the miracle inside her to safety and delivering her to a group of scientists known only as The Human Project.

Director Alfonso Cuaron credited with having previously worked on ‘Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban’; and having revitalized the down-spiraling franchise handles the feel of Britain with exceptional ease. He with writer Timothy J. Sexton pack the pace of action tight enough except for the scenes with Jasper which are one of the high points of the movie. The only problem with the script is that even though Cuaron never read the book and set out to put it on film, he falters a bit with the political and social scenarios. Like for instance you’ll notice a scene strikingly similar to the Intifada (The Uprising) events in Palestine. The segment is not explained though its there and taking place while Owen’s character flees the scene manouvering random gunfire happening all over the place. Though he has cleverly crafted shots like these in the background and also visually grounded the future as a completely upgraded version of today’s world with new technology and all, the film never explains the problem why infertility arose and the reason of this outbreak of terrorism. Such plot holes aren’t stumbled upon because the audience will be too gripped and engrossed in what’s happening on-screen that they won’t even bother. The whole idea of illegal immigration and all playing into the background of humanity gone astray, knowing that it is destined to be slowly wiped out draws something different out, something not seen in cinema for quite a while.

The cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki is exceptional giving the movie a sort of war documentary feel. The skillful Lubezki who had previously worked with Cuaron and also shot Terrence Malick’s The New World create cinema magic showing remarkably long segements and gritty no holes barred atrocities of fascism and terrorist uprising, which will make some people cringe. Coming to the acting, Clive Owen is perfectly suited for the role of Theo and pulls it off nice and easy as a grieving, selfish man finding some meaning to his life as world order is coming to an end. I’m glad he didn’t accept the role of being the next James Bond. His acting prowesses are required in movies such as these. Aside from that Michael Caine gives a splendidly colorful performance as Jasper, the pot smoking old time friend of Theo whom he looks to as a mentor. Julianne Moore seems to just flow with the small role that she got but that doesn’t mean she’s bad. The other supporting cast also fit perfectly and it’s interesting to see Cuaron using actors of different nationalities being portrayed. After all, we’re dealing with the issue of immigration and London has been effectively shown as the melting pot of different cultures. The background score by John Tavner is haunting in which he effectively utilizing classic English bands like the Beatles and opera during particular segments of the movie. The music brings with it some heavy emotion which will almost make you cry when you watch this movie.

Children of Men like other movies by Mexican directors this year will have you spellbound and not leave you for quite a long, long time. Such movies are rare and need to be handled with care which is precisely what Cuaron does and hence the realistic approach to the production design of the movie. It made me feel that aside from your typical Hollywood blockbusters and other catered movies, there are some that hope to show people that films are meant for more than just entertainment. It’s their magic in imagining and creating such vivid stories that make you want to see these movies in the first place. Kudos to Universal Pictures for releasing the film after it spent a long time in developmental hell. And to Alfonso Cuaron and his team, I salute them to bring such a subliminal gem of a dream to life for all to notice and ponder on.