Cuaron tells a story of hope born from fear

Rating: 7/10 (21 October 2018)

Back when it was released, 'Children of Men' was a controversial concept and unlike many other films given the futuristic setting and dark subject matter (a dying, infertile world). Since its release, many other dystopian stories have been told through film with varying success. The reason why 'Men' works is because of one man - Alfonso Cuaron.
Cuaron has proven over and over that his ability behind the camera has been appreciated, through Academy Awards for cinematography and directing, among others. In 'Men,' there are a number of aspects that are signatures of his, with the hallmark being a extended single-shot sequence that immerses the audience into the events on the screen. This kind of execution is not for novice directors, and Cuaron is able to pull it off flawlessly. But aside from the technical aspects, there is a difficult story at the center of 'Men.'
As the leads, Clive Owen and Julianne Moore balance each other out in their time on the screen together. It's clear that Moore is the superior actor, as Owen is his usual wooden self, but they do a good job when paired. There are also some supporting performances from the likes of Chiwetel Ejiofor and Michael Caine that should be praised, with Caine taking on a role that is outside his usual buttoned up self. And Clare-Hope Ashitey portrays a woman who becomes a symbol of hope who must be protected at all costs.
Despite the doom and gloom throughout the film, there are plenty of reasons to enjoy the storytelling that comes through 'Children of Men,' and it's likely it will be remembered as a cinematic achievement years from now.