Children of Men

Rating: 10/10 (13 October 2006)

I have just returned from seeing Children of Men sometime after its release in the UK. It is by far one of the greatest films I have ever seen, I have already mentioned to a few friends that it may be the best film that I have in fact ever seen! You may think this statement is a little over-stated. Let me briefly explain why I left feeling so strongly. The beginning of the film is possibly run-of-the mill, but as the story develops, so does the action. Children of Men is at times slightly depressing, but so relevant to current affairs, that at other times the boundaries between reality are blurred. London looks much like it does today and despite being set almost 20 years in the future, many of the political and social problems are quite believable.
Michael Caine and a bungling police man add a sense of humour and light-heartedness at moments when you may feel like there is nothing else to do but to jump under a passing lorry. This film is bleak, but I find plenty of under-lying messages. It is also excellently directed and has several great moments of filming.
Without saying much about the actual plot, the end of the film fills one with a relieving sense of hope and faith. Sometimes things do take place beyond our control, however much we would like to believe otherwise. Yet Children of Men seems to remind us of the value of life and the seriousness of many of today's issues. It is the sort of film that has the potential to change you for a very long time.