I wanted to...

Rating: 6/10 (5 February 2007)

There's another reality presented to the viewer in "Children of Men", but a reality not very far from ours now. In 2027, televisions are not something from other world, neither are cars or coffee shop. In the latter one, Theo (Clive Owen) is drinking a black coffee soon before everyone in the store is blown out after he leaves.
The planet is falling, everyone is at war but Britain resists. Every immigrant is deported as illegal and locked up in prison; people construct safe houses in the middle of the forest. The youngest person in the world has died with 18 years old; everyone is cryingThere hasn't been a new-born in almost two decades, there is terrorism and revolution.
These and many other things are what the complex screenplay written by Alfonso Cuarón and four other people based on a novel by P.D. James presents. In lots of ways, "Children of Men" reminds the viewer of "The Constant Gardener"A man in search of a truth; defending the dream of someone else. However, it is something different too: because of the characters and the lack of insight.
I wanted to like the film and I wanted it to be good; it has many good things. For starters, Emmanuel Lubezki's beautiful cinematography and his exceptional use of the light. Jim Clay and Geoffrey Kirkland's production design; empty but full. Finally, Cuarón's unique and truly stylish use of camera. And I mean not constant and confusing movement in the signature of Tony Scott; I mean accurate movement and a camera shooting with blood all over it to maintain the reality of the environment.
And a dark environment it is. Sad and dark indeed. Between all this darkness and sadness, Cuaron's seeks for a little light, while telling a tale of sacrifice. As I said, we want the light to shineClive Owen does his best in another regular film of his, where, when all of his characters are different, he generates one thing in common of them: they are unconventional heroes; and he is the only one who plays them with all the necessary elements.
Julianne Moore, a terrific actress, is presented as a main part of the ensemble but does a very inspiring little appearance. So does a very relaxed Danny Huston. Michael Caine gives a little less effort after his big part in "The Prestige", and Chiwetel Ejiofor and Claire-Hope Ashitey are true acting revelations in their roles.
Cuarón, a director I admire very much, craftsman behind "A Little Princess" and "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban", a master at finding light in the dark; fell a little short in this occasion. Anyway, don't miss this one: a fine demonstration of cinematographic quality in general.