Children of Men (2006)

Elevator Pitch: It is 2027 and the world has gone to pieces, due to the fact that the human race is sterile. Things come to a head when the youngest person in the world, aged 18, is stabbed to death. Britain is the only country left with a government and as a result is invaded by numerous refugees, many of whom are imprisoned and killed by the British. Theo Faron, is a civil servant, who accidentally becomes the guardian of a young black woman who, miraculously, is pregnant. They are captured by a terrorist group who seem ready to kill anyone they come across, but escape to Theo’s friend Jasper’s house, and from there to a refugee camp in Bexhill-on-Sea where the birth takes place. From there they hope to get on a boat to safety.

Content: There is a bit of non sexual nudity. Some smoking, smoking of hash and some drinking. Theo moves about in London, passing people separated by wire cages. Once he has met with his former lover he becomes part of a small group supporting the pregnant woman. There are ambushes on the road. They go to a hidden house owned by his friend Jasper, but they are pursued by the terrorists. Eventually Theo, Miriam, a midwife, and Kee, the pregnant woman, arrive in Bexhill on Sea, which seems to harbour many armed terrorists, from different groups. In a massive fire fight which takes place after the child is born can Theo and Kee, and the baby survive.

A View: This film was feted by the critics many of them determining that it was one of the best films of 2006. I read that the director does not like back stories or exposition, so I found myself slightly confused for much of the time. However, once I had got used to it, many of the scenes were absolutely riveting. If you choose to watch it, at least you had had the advantage of having read this exposition.

I love films involving dystopian future. Here are a few slightly unusual examples of the genre which have been reviewed on this site: Snowpiercer, Repo Men, The Book of Eli,