The Future Is Somewhat Lacking

I came to the realization that I really like post-apocalyptic future films. I enjoy a film when the fate of man is covered in dirt and grime, or at least some grease. Children of Men is absolutely covered in dirt and grime. In fact the cinematography is a major highlight of the film. Even though this world is in the future, the film retains a realistic sensibility that creates more interest. It is possible and it could happen. Yet somewhere along the way I stopped caring.

The main plot revolves around lack of children. In one fell swoop, humanity can longer produce offspring (hopefully not for lack of trying because if that’s the case this film became even more depressing). This is when we meet Theo Faron (Clive Owen), a normal guy that is obviously done with caring about the world. That is until he gets kidnapped by his ex-wife Julian (Julianne Moore). Evidently Theo was once a major activist with Julian, and now she needs a favor. Cue the disillusioned hero music. So here’s the deal, get a girl across a border and to a ship (mythical ship perhaps). In the process, kill Julian and give the girl, Kee (Clare-Hope Ashitey), a pregnancy. Theo becomes the hero he once was because he knows the future of the world depends on getting Kee and her child to a boat supposedly run by the Human Project, an organization that may just save the future.

Let me get the good stuff out of the way first. The storyline itself is bit predictable but yet captivating. You discover the plot through the eyes of Theo as he goes on his quest. We see the reasons for his actions and are able to build the back story. By the finale, we know Theo. The acting is a bit stiff and somewhat distracting. This could be attributed to the fact that personalities come from the future and that Alfonso Cuarón directed the actors to act less like a contemporary character and more like a future character. I’d buy that reasoning, especially after seeing Jasper (Michael Caine). Caine turns his character into an anti-contemporary which sets up a nice dichotomy between the characters of this new future.

Another aspect of the film that was perhaps its best feature was the cinematography. The camera moves in ways that truly kept me watching. There was a nice filter that produced a grim look to even the most majestic of scenery. It had a starkly realistic quality that brought the film closer to realism and moved it away from just science fiction. I could watch the film again just for the camera work.

I said I could, but I won’t. Aside from the good, the film lacks the little things. At points of the film, specifically the last race to the boat, I became bored. I actually felt myself thinking about ways it could be different rather than following the film itself. Not only that, but it just drug on. My brain was screaming (because I didn’t want to literally scream), “Get to the damn boat!” When it was finally reaching the end, I was at a point where I just didn’t care. Even the future without children was bleak and horrible, I didn’t care. The only thing I cared about was getting another drink because I was parched. Somewhere along the way I stopped caring about the characters or the story.

While the film certainly left me with some doubts about “caring,” it certainly was worth watching. In many ways, it surpassed my expectations which forced me to be more critical of it. Children of Men may not be the best post-apocalyptic film, but it did bring a new sensibility to the genre. You do not need to go crazy with the future to make it the future.