Disquieting, moving and beautiful

Rating: 8/10 (17 August 2010)

Children of Men is one of the most innovative dystopian book of modern times. It is beautifully written, with a wonderful concept. It really enlightens us with one of the terrible nightmares of mankind - infertility. And its adaption falls no short.
Wonderfully written, directed and conceived by Alfonso Cauron, the film displays 2027 as a complete chaos - Several governments of different countries collapsing, refugees from different countries seeking safe shelters in Britain, and British Government, trying to clean off the fugees like pests. Declared as police state, England has become a place of civil assaults, uncontrolled oppositions and several fugee groups like 'Fishes'. And our hero, Theo gets unexpectedly involved in a voyage - a voyage to safely send world's only newborn and her mother to off coasts of the Britain.
Clive Owen does a great job as Theo. Perhaps the film in fact is made for him. Other actors like Michael Caine have a very memorable performances. Julliana Moore had a very short role, but she was good.
The film depicts very realistic images of civil wars. It is very moving as well, and full of intense sequences. Alfonso Cauron does an exceptionally great job in pulling off all these 'war' scenes, they are very very authentic. Cauron's whole presentation of the film works like a charm. And yes, this time too he used wide angle lenses.
One thing for which this film will be reminded is its very innovative cinematography by Emmanuel Lubezki. The film had a very 'documentary style' feeling to it. There were long takes, perhaps very long and several scenes were shot with hand helds, very effectively. And one thing more to mention - the film was mostly shot in natural lighting. The whole atmosphere created by Lubezki is just short of words.
'Children of Men' is definitely Caurons best work to date. He really is one of the best foreign directors that Hollywood has.