Children Of Men

Last weekend, my wife and I went to see "Children of Men". It is a science fiction movie set 20 years in the future. The film is based on a book by PD James written in the early 90's. It is very good quick-paced action-thriller movie. I am not much of a science fiction fan, however I enjoyed this movie. The story was compelling, I was always engaged and never got bored.

As I was watching the movie, I did not enjoy it much. However the movie has been growing on me since I viewed it. The best way that I can describe the film, is that it is a Clive Owen movie. I have not seen all of Owen's movies, however he always seems to go through them with a bleak, dead-pan, shellshocked expression. And that is what this movie is all about. Owen plays a dreary, miserable character in a dreary, miserable world. As the movie goes on, Owen seems to gather some energy. However it is not a joyous, excited energy. It is a more of a willingness to struggle against the evil forces type of energy. Having said that, I have enjoyed every movie that Owen has made and I enjoy him in them.

As I mentioned earlier, I am gaining appreciation for the movie. It is a good story with some good chase scenes and plenty of suspenceful tension. I also like the fact that the special effects were kept to a minimum. Science fiction movies are often filled with gadgets. And it seems like the gadgets don't further the plot, they are just there to make you go "gee whiz". Anyway, the movie seemed to concentrate on the story, not showing off special effects and gadgets.

Michael Caine adds some color to the movie. He plays a whimsical hippee-like character. An intellectual good guy who has chosen to withdraw from the gray, dismal world. A point of blinding light in the darkness. (Actually, there are a few other points of light in the movie, but I don't want to give them away.) I am not a big fan on Caine's, however I recognize that he is a very talented actor and I think he does a really good job with this part.

So where would I place this movie in the year's best movies? I would place it in a tie for 3rd, behind "Little Children" and "Bobby", tied with "The Departed". Hmm, I am not sure that "Little Children" and "Bobby" are better movies, I just enjoyed them more while I was watching them. I don't think I would nominate Clive Owen for Best Actor, however I think I would nominate Michael Caine for Supporting Actor. He would not win the award, but I would nominated him.