Children of Men

[Brian in Mesa]

Owen to Star in Children of Men
Source: Variety
April 28, 2005

According to Variety, Clive Owen (Sin City, Closer) has signed a deal to star in Universal's Children of Men. Alfonso Cuaron (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban) will direct the sci-fi film about a future where people can no longer have children. The film is based on P.D. James' novel of the same title.

The story is set in a dystopic society, radically transformed by humans' inability to reproduce and sent into chaos by the news of the death of the earth's youngest person, age 18.

When the first woman becomes pregnant in more than 20 years, and thus becomes the most sought-after person in the world, Owen's character is enlisted to protect her.

 

[Chaplin]

Sounds like the lesser-known film called Fortress, starring Christopher Lambert.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Moore Aboard The Children of Men
Source: ComingSoon.net
June 16, 2005

Julianne Moore has joined Clive Owen in Universal Pictures sci fi adventure The Children of Men, directed by Alfonso Cuarón (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban).

The studio is targeting a September 29, 2006 release date.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

This movie is close to coming out I believe...I am really looking forward to it.

 

[Louis]

Owen is one of the few actors around today that can act and be an action star as well.

His performances in Inside Man, Closer, Sin City, I'll Sleep When I'm Dead, and even his minor role in the Bourne Identity have all captured a pretty good snapshot of acting talents.

I'm still mad that he isn't James Bond.

 

[Ollie]

Sounds like the lesser-known film called Fortress, starring Christopher Lambert.

IIRC, the starting postulate of Fortress is the exact opposite of Children of Men, there's a massive overpopulation on earth and people are not allowed to give birth to more than one child. At least the idea wasn't as bad as the 1h30 that followed.

Anyway, Children of Men was released last week in europe (apparently it won't be released in the us before christmas). It's a very very good movie, and it's almost a true great one (some starting ideas and concepts are left pretty much undeveloped and therefore the movie rhythm slows slightly down in the middle).

Acting and actors direction are really solid : Clive Owen is a perfect anti-hero (this guy is so underrated it's laughable), Michael Caine, Julianne Moore and Peter Mullan being the top of a good supporting cast.

The scenaristic mix between sci-fi, action and drama works very well because Cuaron is a gifted director, oftenly using long takes/plans sequence during action phases to increase tension (the last long take is incredible).

Highly recommended (and if you like Pink Floyd, pay attention when Theo meet his cousin).

 

[CQ]

Saw this last night. VERY GOOD MOVIE!!!!! Left us thinking and confused, yet at the same time, hubby and I both liked it. The cinematography was really interesting in so much of this movie. Made you feel like you were IN the movie in some scenes.

 

[Stout]

What an excellent film. Clive Owen was brilliant, as always. The story was well-done and the script was well-written. Unlike his Potter debacle, Cuaron's directing was impeccable. Awesome, awesome flick.

 

[Brian in Mesa]

Children of Men

Release Date: December 25, 2006 (limited)
Studio: Universal Pictures
Director: Alfonso Cuarón
Screenwriter: Alfonso Cuarón, Timothy J. Sexton
Genre: Thriller
MPAA Rating: R (for strong violence, language, some drug use and brief nudity)
Website: ChildrenofMen.net | TheHumanProjectLives.org

Starring: Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Charlie Hunnam, Michael Caine

Plot Summary: "Children of Men" envisages a world one generation from now that has fallen into anarchy on the heels of an infertility defect in the population. The world's youngest citizen has just died at 18, and humankind is facing the likelihood of its own extinction.

Set against a backdrop of London torn apart by violence and warring nationalistic sects, "Children of Men" follows disillusioned bureaucrat Theo (Owen) as he becomes an unlikely champion of Earth's survival. When the planet's last remaining hope is threatened, this reluctant activist is forced to face his own demons and protect her from certain peril.

Directed and co-written by acclaimed filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón ("Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," "Y tu mamá también"), "Children of Men" also stars Julianne Moore as the leader of an underground opposition group and Michael Caine as Jasper.

The film is produced by Marc Abraham & Eric Newman ("Spy Game," "Dawn of the Dead"), Hilary Shor & Tony Smith ("Eye of the Beholder," "Beautopia") and Iain Smith ("Alexander," "Cold Mountain"). It is adapted for the screen by Cuarón and Timothy J. Sexton ("Live from Baghdad").

 

[Louis]

Really enjoyed this movie. Clive Owen was superb as always.

Some of the critics' complaints have been that a lot of questions were left unanswered.

I think those questions aren't really relevant to the film other than...

Spoiler

The ending. Obviously the Human Project exists because that boat does and it's safe to assume the girl and Dylan survive the ordeal and are going to be taken care of. But you are left to your own devices as to whether or not this leads to solving the worlds' infertility problem.

I felt like it wasn't important to know why people became infertile in the first place. The movie wasn't so much about that as it was what happend 20 years later when someone became pregnant and her fight for survival.

Loved that scene at the end when the fighting was going on and it stops because everybody is in awe of the baby.

Though my biggest disappointment was Moore's and Caine's limited time on screen before being killed.

Very fast paced movie once the plot develops.

 

[Stout]

Agree with all of what you wrote, Louis, but I'm afraid your one complaint could not be helped, alas. An excellent film, and if critics are really complaining about the ending, well then, they are definitely missing the point.

 

[Louis]

Agree with all of what you wrote, Louis, but I'm afraid your one complaint could not be helped, alas. An excellent film, and if critics are really complaining about the ending, well then, they are definitely missing the point.

My one complaint really doesn't hurt the film at all. As a matter of fact it aids the plot development and is what drives the character to continue forward.

 

[Stout]

My one complaint really doesn't hurt the film at all. As a matter of fact it aids the plot development and is what drives the character to continue forward.

Exactly.

 

[Toro]

I didn't like this movie at all. I feel asleep.

 

[Mike Olbinski]

This movie was absolutely brilliant. I loved it. Top 10 of 2006 for sure, if not Top 5 for me.

Such an amazing look at a world without children. If you think about it, if suddenly no kids were being born, hope would be gone and I think a lot of people would have no reason to do anything.

I never thought about it like that, but if we knew in 80-100 years, no one would be left on the planet...maybe things are totally different.

Anyways...this movie was superbly filmed. The scene in the refugee camps, where Clive Owen chases after the girl...was amazing. There were hardly any breaks in the scenes...one I think ran almost 5 minutes, and it was running into a building with tanks blowing it up, people shooting and getting shot, etc.

I love Clive Owen anyways, I think he's a great actor...he was perfect in this role.

The scene Louis talked about was touching...one of those amazing moments in a movie. I welled up at that point...it was just...awesome.

Mike

 

[Pariah]

I'm reading the book right now. What part did Owen play? Not Theo (the Warden's cousin), I hope.

 

[Mulli]

I'm reading the book right now. What part did Owen play? Not Theo (the Warden's cousin), I hope.

One of the women that can't get pregnant, I think.

 

[Pariah]

One of the women that can't get pregnant, I think.

Well, it good to see he's streching his acting beyond the dark, silent-type he generally plays.

 

[Bada0Bing]

I recently watched this. Great movie. It had several amazing scenes. Like was mentioned earlier in this thread, it really made you think about what things would be like if this actually happened.

 

[RON_IN_OC]

The wife and I both loved this movie! Really makes you think...

 

[Linderbee]

Just watched it...was left feeling "eh".

I see I'm in the minority. Very well directed, excellent acting, but the story itself was just 'meh' to me. Oh, well.

 

[Beaver]

I gave it a meh also.