Where do I begin to tell the tale of this brilliant film? Alfonso Cuaron has fashioned an incredibly relevant tale from P.D. James’ novel. It is the story of London 2027 but it is also the story of Earth 2007. We see the future here so we are warned, this is the world that we may very well be shaping and it is a frightening thought.
Speaking of thought, that is exactly what James and Cuaron have put into this venture. Society is at a perilous juncture, not unlike today. Events are spiraling out of control and the government attempts to reign them in but at the same time governments are engineering the turbulence. They spend the rest of the time routing out illegal immigrants whose countries have imploded. Clive Owen and Julianne Moore star in this film and their performances are rendered with much care. That same care is matched by the collaboration of director Cuaron with his cinematographer Emmanuel Luzbecki, and it yeilds results.
There are so many motifs in this epic tale, from animals surrounding a futuristic St. Francis to the consistently bare feet of our protagonist. So much care has been instilled in this film that it is a symbolic wet dream. From shots of graffiti laden walls at a water filtration plant that echo primitive cave drawings to bolder allusions of a futuristic gitmo complete with Arab men in their underwear being terrorized by guards, dogs and guns to the archway above the camp that says ‘homeland security’ so unobstrusively that I missed it completely on the first viewing.
It is a tale of a future where rebellion is terrorism. Is that not where we are today? Cheney, Bush and the Neocons have now fashioned a country where the James Deans are just tortured bi-sexuals and where Rebellion=Terrorism. Wouldn’t the Boston Tea Party today be just another terrorist act that disrupts commerce? We’ll need more than graffiti to help us navigate the treacherous waters ahead. We have seen the future and the terrorists look very scary, but how many realize that we are looking in a mirror? Cuaron does and the fact that this film is being lauded by the critics and ignored by the Academy Awards should tell you all you need to know. There were few minutes of the last 30 that I could watch from eyes not filled with tears at the simple beauty that life can be.
I know the film is playing in major cities but since the Academy chose not to nominate it for Best Film (which it completely deserved to be) it may not end up being distributed in the small towns. What a shame that would be.
Excellent review, Wilfred, thank you! I am looking forward to seeing this film
hi Wilfred, always look forward to your reviews. I’ve been wondering about this film. It looked and sounded intriguing from what I’ve read so far-and good cast also. Am looking forward to seeing it. As for the Academy Awards, I kinda have a love/hate relationship with the awards…one of the main reasons was the complete and disgusting shut-out of all minorities..including women. But I don’t want to go on a rant here about the awards.
Saw it yesterday and yes, think it’s a commentary on the Bush Administration, the birth of Jesus, and where Mankind could go in the near future.
I didn’t dare read this as I’m seeing the film next Monday at a special screening – can’t wait. Afterwards, writer-director Alfonso Cuaron and co-writer Tim Sexton will give a talk. I’ll have to report back!
oh, I’m so jealous.
There are benefits to living in LA. š
OK to read it RHL, i don’t summarize plot in my reviews!
Oh – good to know. I’ll still wait though! I hate to know anything at all about something I really want to see, and I really want to see this!
Well put Wilfred, this is a fantastic film, best movie of 2006. I highly recommend “Pan’s Labyrinth” as well.
Del Toro & Cuaron have wonderful voices, insights into the human condition. If you enjoy “Pan’s”, make sure you rent “The Devil’s Backbone” as well, a really moving ghost story set in an orphanage during the Spanish Civil War.
If you want to bask in genuine artistic friendship and joy, treat yourself to the interview/jam sesson on Charlie Rose with/between Del Toro, Cuaron and Inarritu (director of “Babel”, which I haven’t seen yet). So much joy and good humor in that appearance.
I increasingly look to Mexico, Brazil, France, Japan, China, Hong Kong and South Korea for insightful, surprising and truly moving movies, full of artists revelling in creation, not just commerce.
So dark. I can’t shake the images a week on. They just keep floating up. So much a real snapshot of what we are becoming.
In the middle of one of the most harrowing scenes in Children of Men I found myself compelled to whisper to my companion “This is the best movie I’ve seen this year!” I still think so, but I missed a lot of the details you mention Wilfred. St. Francis? Obviously I have to wtch it again, soon.
Hi. i know this diary is off the reco list and u probably might not see this but that’s ok.
Just wanted to say thanks super thanks for recommending it. I saw it tonight. Very moving.
Also wanted to note for the record the “gypsy” woman is actually a Transylvanian Romanian woman who speaks Romanian dialogue the entire time but her dog is Hungarian. The old couple in the “bank” are Georgian by the way and spoke the real language. Quite amazing and added the authenticity (like the blood spatter on the camera lens).
Thank you!
Pax