" Pull my finger "

Children of Men

Set in 2027 London, Children of Men portrays a very bleak world where women can no longer fall pregnant. The movie follows Theo Faron (Clive Owen) as he is thrust into helping a group of activists transport a pregnant girl to a sanctuary at sea. In a world driven to chaos, Theo and his group can trust no one in their attempts to protect the girl and ultimately try to save the future of the human race.

Do not be turned away by the depressing themes and images of this film, for it is made with such care, the end result is one of beauty and genuine emotion. From the very first scene it is evident that the world is in chaos, people are losing hope that the human race can survive and that there will be anything left worth surviving for. Every scene is layered with thoughtful detail and artful direction creating a magnificent and overwhelming feel to the movie, emphasising what is at stake.

 The entire cast is excellent, I believe this is Clive Owen's greatest work as he brilliantly captures the emotions of the people left on earth, whilst transforming into the hero of the story. Theo isn't a typical hero but when it counts he selflessly sacrifices his own safety for the greater goal, the protection of Kee (Clare-Hope Ashitey) who has miraculously become pregnant. Michael Caine as always brings his charismatic personality to the film as well as Julianne Moore who plays Theo's old love interest and the leader of the activist group organising Kee's transport.

Alfonso Cuaron who has directed and jointly adapted the screenplay from P.D James novel "The Children of Men" has to be applauded. Every scene has an important role to play in the storytelling, aided by beautiful cinematography and a moving score (most notably the rendition of Ruby Tuesday). The movie consistently provides wide, continuous tracking shots that capture the enormity of what is happening. The film is made to view more like a documentary, with its brutal realism making it a truly powerful piece of film. Embedded throughout the movie is the theme of hope, most prominently captured through Kee, who is not just a girl that has fallen pregnant, but a symbol of hope and survival, perhaps the last symbol of hope left.

This is a memorable movie that offers a vividly realistic portrayal of futuristic London as well as offering some important messages to the viewer regarding current immigration laws and treatment. The movie is thrilling, deeply moving and exceptionally well made from start to finish, making you realise how fragile our society is and just how precious life is.