homeland security

Rating: 9/10 (15 January 2007)

so; this is the future then? it begins with the death of the youngest person in the world, barely eighteen years old. All around is a Ludite nightmare. It is a bleak world, with bombs going off, littered streets, gun fire, the presence of armed soldiers and resistance fighters. yes, the future. Governments and the media cast labels on characters as terrorists. It is illegal to avoid fertility testing. Schools, although not needed in this future, are in terrible shape. There are propaganda signs everywhere..."illegal" aliens are rounded up and detained. hmmm.... And yet in this dour world, the music of the Beatles, Stones, King Crimson,and Donovan lives on. There is graffiti every where, and yet there is also Guernica, colourful murals, and a beautiful country side full of plants and flowers. Animals are everywhere: cats, lots of dogs, sheep, deer, a zebra, horses, birds...some horribly exploited; others tenderly loved.... the most beautiful shot in the film for me was when Kee exposes her pregnant body, while modestly covering her breasts. She was beautiful, as all pregnant women are, with her swollen belly filled with so much promise. And life. It is described as "a miracle", since in this film, everyone is sterile. Since when has pregnancy and birth not been a miracle? it always was, is, and will be, regardless of the circumstance. Children of Men had some ugly things for sure, but it also had redeeming and wonderful things too, things like courage, self-sacrifice, nurturing, love. It had grief and sorrow, joy and happiness; desperation and commitment. It had a great ensemble cast, some of whom left all too soon. It also showed, that men who go to war don't sign up to kill children. I'd have to say that the biggest difference in this "future" world, is the lack of fresh paint and wall paper. they seem to be replaced by posters and newspaper article's with ominous words on them. i cant rate this film. It has brilliant moments, and yet it is left incomplete and has some plot issues. All i can say is, i am going to wait a while before i watch this again. It is an emotional exercise. In fact, it flexes quite a few emotions. I am a fan of Cuaron's films. He is flexible in his choices, and he takes chances. Children of Men is an important film about a terrible future (??). The sterile thing seems like a pretense for a film that is really about things which are happening to us now. I think we are better off watching this film, than not. It is a film which stays with you. ensemble cast: A; special kudos to Michael Caine cinematography: A+ art direction: A screen play A-