Okay so this movie isn't new. It came out in 2006 and was directed by Alfonso Cuaron, a name you probably know from the 2014 Oscars when his movie "Gravity" was nominated for just about everything. I think this movie beats "Gravity" by a landslide in every category, though. This movie, "Children of Men," was based off of a book written by an Englishman named P.D. James about a man surviving in post-apocalyptic London nearly alone. There was an influenza that took hold of every human in every country eradicating fertility and brutally destroying any hopes of a new generation. Children were killed and men and women were left as the last generation.
This influenza caused a violent downfall of society and government. Countries everywhere turned to anarchy and pure chaos, taking slaves and killing what was left of their fellow man. The only country with a semi functioning government still was England, the setting of this story. Immigration laws were strict and many of the officer's actions enforcing these laws paralleled the actions of Nazi soldiers in the 20th century. This downfall of government and societal structure begs the question, when the world falls apart, how can we save it if not by working together? This story sheds light on the savage nature of human beings, the evolutionary theory of survival of the fittest launching a war of man against man, no sides and no rules. We are selfish, savage, hunters when our lives are on the line, and humans will do whatever it takes to survive.
The most prominent message in this story though is that of hope and faith. One girl serves as a beacon of hope in a dark world that has forgotten the meaning of that word. About halfway through the film, it is not difficult to pinpoint parallels with the Bible-story and its characters that carry on throughout the story until it is resolved. The story as dark and isolating as it feels, is spiritual and inspiring, and sends the message that though humans are savage and selfish, with faith and hope and most importantly trust and cooperation, great things can be accomplished and they can impact so many more people than just one man.
This story is philosophical, political, religious and educational. It will make you question your beliefs and perspectives on almost everything, including the way you see the world and other people. It is pure genius. I recommend not watching this movie if you want to have a lighthearted, chill night on your couch with some friends and some laughs, because this movie is heavy and your eyes will not leave the screen for two and a half hours.
Watch this movie in a dark room, maybe with one or two friends who are just as mentally prepared as you are, and have a very open mind. Make sure, as well, you keep track of each cut and scene change in the movie because you will see that our friend Alfonso Cuaron does something so innovative with the camera. He films the scenes in giant stretches, moving the camera with the actors like a documentary, making one scene up to 25 minutes long in one camera roll-no cuts and no edits. It is brilliant and so real. I haven't seen a movie this good and impactful since American History X. Get ready people. It's mildly life-changing.
