A remarkably-crafted dystopian tale of optimism and sadism.

Rating: 8/10 (18 October 2013)

I've never had a thing for science-fiction movies, especially the ones that are dystopian because they sustain themselves on the garish special-effects they bring along with them. But Alfonso Cuaron's "Children Of Men" urged me to reconsider my views on the genre. An expertly-crafted violent chase thriller, "Children Of Men" scores points on how believable it eventually is. Set in the near-future, it tells the tale of Theo Faron, a civil-rights activist, and his singular mission to transport a heavily-pregnant teenage woman, Kee, the first pregnancy in eighteen years after a bout of infertility, across the country during a communist uprising.
Straight away, we find out that this is no ordinary movie. The first scene, in which we see Theo (Clive Owen) buying himself a cup of coffee in a shop which later explodes, tells us exactly what we're in for. Theo is later kidnapped by a group that calls itself the Fishes, a group that vies for an equal place for illegal immigrants in the country, and is told about the developments. Theo's ex-wife, Julian (Julianne Moore), who heads the group, informs him about the job which he is supposed to carry out - to transport a girl, Kee (Clare- Hope Ashitey) across the country to the Human Project. As they're ambushed by a mob which also leads to the killing of two officers and the death of Julian, Theo and Kee figure out that they'll be the hunted ones in connection to the deaths. Theo digs out an old junkie friend of his, Jasper (Michael Caine), who agrees to help them get to the boat, where the Human Project awaits them.
"Children Of Men" is fueled by a manic energy that Cuaron weaves into the neurotic setting. Sensationally directed, superbly scripted and competently acted, "Children Of Men" has got it all. There's style, there's substance and enthralling action sequences that wholly deserve to be whistled at. We're often being shown a voguish futuristic world which we buy into but seldom has anyone tried to think out-of-the-box. That's where Cuaron's boundless imagination comes into the picture. He gives us an frightful representation of what the world is about to turn into, cautions us and then takes our breath away. Cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezski ably backs his visionary chronicle, giving us a series of visuals so stunning that I was left lost for words. Technically sound, Cuaron and Lubezski team up to create an erudite experience that can just as be a documentary as a thriller.
Owen, in his most eloquent performance yet, is terrific. His journey of making Faron a hero from a sympathetic loafer is absolutely moving. Ashitey, in her debut, hands in a dignified, scintillating performance. Moore and Caine exceed well in their small but significant roles.
"Children Of Men" works well as a cautionary tale, a dystopian chase-thriller which is conceivable and ultimately satisfying. Richly textured and emotionally explosive, there is no way that it should be ignored. It shows us why fraternity is so crucial even during those times when we are left with no choice.