movie review

MOVIE REVIEW
Google ate my regular article. Wrote it, tried to post, only a quarter of it came through. No huge loss, not one of my best. But now you only get what's below. I don't have time to write anything else. Sorry.


CHILDREN OF MEN
Rated R, 2006
Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Michael Caine

First rate movie. Top acting, plenty of action, a unique take on the story. Unfortunately, this is a dystopian movie rather than a post-apocalypse movie. The future in Britain might entail more poverty, a bit of doing without, a larger police state ( directed against foreigners ) and more pollution as more coal is used in place of oil, but it is nothing like the end of civilization. It is more like the return of the Blitz, which never ends. There is a lot of attention paid to detail. A lot of budget went into creating a realistic universe. There are actually so many small details quickly glanced that you can’t get it all in one or two viewings. When Clive goes to see a cousin ( or some such family member ) to ask for official paperwork, check out the pink flying pig from Pink Floyd. But that was an obvious bit, there are a lot more subdued moments.

Clive’s ex-wife, Julianne, contacts him that a resistance movement needs to smuggle a girl down to the coast. He’s pretty much slipped into a semi-permanent alcoholic stupor but eventually agrees. Probably still carrying a torch for her. As she knew he would. Get papers from cousin, start driving, ambush by bandit dudes, escape, ex-wife shot, hole up in farm, overhear some talk the ambush was a set up, want to kill leader, take girl and keep her at farm rather than getting her to safety off island. It seems our wonder girl is in the family way which is supposed to be impossible since a global infertility is what has caused such widespread destruction. As hope was lost, the globe went to war with itself. Except in Britain, which limps. That part of the story was a little weak to me, as North Sea oil production is fading fast and they have to import a lot of their food. Perhaps there are enough people voluntarily taking the suicide kit and getting imported that they can barely get by with what they have.

Michael Caine is wonderful as an aging hippy who hides out in his little sanctuary in the woods. Hiding his driveway, has solar panels and eats vegetarian. Trades his pot he grows for the cash he needs. The place is full of books and old music. Just the kind of retreat we all would like. As I said, a damn good film. A poor Apocalypse one.
*Genre Rating-poor. Not a collapse, just a general decline. No breakdown in order or trade, at least not island wide.
*Nudity Rating-another piss poor nudity showing. One brief shot of boobs. Only a tease.
*Overall Rating- despite the poor genre rating, this is very good movie. Recommended, if nothing else for Caine’s appearance or the glimpses into a long descent future.