Children of Men

2006

Director: Alfonzo Cuaron

Distributor: Universal Pictures / Strike Entertainment

Key Elements: Concept – Visuals

My Review:

I knew I would love this movie - based on the novel by P. D. James - the moment I saw the trailer. I’m always a sucker for science fiction with social commentary.

This movie shows us the rarely seen PRE-apocalyptic setting. Humanity can no longer reproduce. The question raised by the situation is a huge part of the movie – What would you do if you knew humanity was in the eleventh hour?

Essentially, everyone in this movie is a ghost, going about their lives with the realization that nothing they do will last or mean anything – they might as well be dead already. And yet, everyone is fighting. If humanity is on its way out, why would we speed up the process by killing each other? Unfortunately, as unreasonable as it is, it’s probably a pretty accurate prediction.

A surprising aspect of the movie was the “fugees” situation. For whatever reason, Great Britain is the last semi-stable area in the world. Consequently, people are risking everything to sneak in. When discovered, they are rounded up by police and kicked out. It’s obviously a statement about the current illegal immigration situation in the U.S. If there’s anything to take away from the illustration, it’s that people ought to be treated as human beings regardless of their citizenship. I think that’s something our government should keep in mind.


The most amazing part of the movie is a nearly 10 minute fight sequence caught in a single shot. Incredible. As if that weren’t enough, the sequence climaxes with the baby’s crying freezing all fighting. Everyone is awestruck by the hope represented in that cry, and they respect it. Very moving.

And hope really is what the movie is about. If there’s a gospel illustration in the movie it’s the hope of new life represented by the baby. In this way, the baby could be symbolic of Christ at Christmas, hope for humanity contained in ultimate vulnerability. But theo could also be a Christ figure, giving his life to secure the hope and new life and baby represents.

Bonus Material:



Quotes:

• I can't really remember when I last had any hope, and I certainly can't remember when anyone else did either. Because really, since women stopped being able to have babies, what's left to hope for?
• Y'know that ringing in your ears? That 'Eeeeeeeeee'? That's the sound of the ear cells dying, like their swan song. Once it's gone you'll never hear that frequency again. Enjoy it while it lasts.
• She's pregnant!
• Everything is a mythical, cosmic battle between faith and chance.
• Your baby is the miracle the whole world has been waiting for.
• As the sound of the playgrounds faded, the despair set in. Very odd, what happens in a world without children's voices.
• Fugee face. Sad face.
• Cease fire! Cease fire!
• Dylan. I'll call my baby Dylan. It's a girl's name, too.

Stills: