Children of Men

Most movies and novels that depict society as torn apart and ruled by chaos choose to set it far ahead of the present day, giving the feeling that there is plenty of time to fix and adjust human behavior to avoid certain destruction. This is not the case in Alfonso Cuaron’s new film, Children of Men, set in 2027.

In this thriller, based on the P.D. James novel of the same name, the world has descended into chaos, leaving Britain as the last government standing. Underneath a sky full of clouds and fog, refugees are being rounded up and sent to camps along the boarders of England, and terrorists are bombing cities in an attempt to challenge the controlling government. The future looks bleak, even in comparison to the present, for there is no next generation; women have been infertile since2009, and older generations are starting to die off.

This film is a glimpse at what our future might look like if nothing is changed. The effects of global warming, war, terrorism, and excess of executive power may run us into the ground, but there has been fair warning from scientists, politicians, soldiers, and artists. Children of Men may be an exaggerated warning with its premise of infertility, but its message still hits home.

Though it can be argued that this film ultimately offers a bit of hope, it is not by any means an uplifting movie. You will walk out of the theater discouraged, and, most likely a little pessimistic. But that is exactly how Cuaron wants you to feel. This is a strong and powerful film that will make an impact on its viewers and perhaps change their worldview. I strongly recommend this movie, but, if you are in the mood for something optimistic and uplifting, this is probably not the film for you.

6 Responses

1. 6:48 PM on February 5th, 2007Anonymous:

   great special effects too.

2. 11:28 AM on February 6th, 2007yeaaaah:

   yeaaaaaaaaah

3. 8:47 AM on February 7th, 2007Kaveman:

   i loved the movie! definately a perfect prediction as 2 what will happen if we keep on fucking the world over

4. 5:29 PM on March 8th, 2007anonymous:

   alfonso cuarón

5. 10:34 AM on May 4th, 2007c bas:

   this movie was hela intense but one of the best movies i seen for a while.

6. 10:34 AM on May 4th, 2007c bas:

   this movie was pretty intense but one of the best movies i seen for a while.

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