Brain tingling drama/thriller

Rating: 8/10 (25 September 2006)

The solemn feeling throughout this movie is clearly there as soon as the title appears on the screen. The bland, white on black line 'Children of Men' really sets the mood for this epic drama/thriller from the get go. Moving on to the actual movie and what a movie it is. The fact it is set about 20 years from now really strikes a chord for watchers as it could, and could being a key word, happen with some of the policies and 'agenders' set about by politicians in 2006. Clive Owen plays a superb lead and gently pursues an English accent-not flamboyant and cockney but surprisingly realistic. The actors filling in the tidy amount of other roles are also up with Owen in believability and just make the world seem so much more real. The film is jumpy, at points, as it is witty and breathtaking. The music and set pieces are excellent if not slightly clichéd at points. Characters are believable and you fell even for the bad guys and even a small tear jerker appears unexpectedly at the end. The ending, however, is not as expected but the build up towards it is mesmerising. If only certain facts were told somehow at the end, the film would feel completed, but questions like What happens to her/him? still linger in the mind. And linger is what this film will do. You will think about it a day or so after viewing and the message will still be there whether that be about the future or what will happen with immigration. The film tackles both with flare and the whole base of infertility becomes side tracked but still there and still important, as shown by the expression and reaction when a baby does appear...