Whitewashed Hope

Rating: 9/10 (1 July 2008)

This film has gotten very praising response from the critics and the community alike and I had to check it out. I did see Prisoner of Azkaban but didn't think it was anything mind blowing but I notice now how great Alfonso is as a director and he certainly have a very bright future.
The plot follows Theo, a depressing drunk who only see the decay in the world. His bitter and pessimistic outlook on life is caused by his child's death and the breakup with his wife. Similarly the world is in chaos. Most organized government has fallen and Britain has one of the last standing government which leads to high amounts of refugees seeking asylum. Finally the world has not had a childbirth in 18 years. Theo, contacted by his former wife, is asked to lead a pregnant refugee out of the country to ensure the baby's safety.
The acting is very well done. Especially with Julianne Moore, Clive Owen and Michael Caine. Despite the continuously bleak setup of the film, they show a healthy sense of humor. At the same time, when the situation turns for the worse, they can show true raw emotions.
The beauty of this film comes from its breathtaking cinematography. The highlights are the extendedly long single shots that occur many times during the film. The action scenes usually incorporate this and it is extremely well done. The cinematography leads to the gripping sense of realism in this film. Parts of the film is shot in a documentary sort of way and adds a sense of believability to the film. The film presents allusions to past events and other social issues as well. At the same time the film is very emotional and leads to very heartbreaking scenes.
The minor issue with this film is the action scenes. If you're prone to motion sickness, it can get you a little bit dizzy which are even further pushed by the cacophony of gunfire and explosions. Also the film is rather slow for the first half and the plot can get a little confusing.
The film has a rather ambiguous hopeful ending that is very well shot. Overall, the reason behind why this film didn't receive any Oscars is a mystery. However this is a very smart film that also points out many social and political issues that are going on today. Highly recommended.