CHILDREN OF MEN Post-Release Discussion

Children of Men is a beautiful movie. It's about time some good old fashioned dystopic scifi made its way back into cinemas. Cuaron is quite a director - some of those single-take shots took my breath away.

Can't get this film out of my head. Can't wait for next week so I can check it out again. One of the years finest, and hopefully Universal gets off there asses and markets the shit out of this one, because it deserves it.

Hands down the best directed movie I've seen this year. As I said in another post I'm gonna watch the DVD in a loop trying to find out how Cuaron got some of the shots he did. That long take during the battle when they run through the streets was mind boggling. It was so impressive it almost took me out of the movie. One minute I'm totally into it and the next it's " Holy shit, how did he do that?"

As Devin said, Cuaron directed the shit out of this movie and I'm going to be pretty pissed if his work isn't acknowledged in some way.

Saw it last night and the motorcycle/flaming car wreck/roadblock/bullet in the neck sequence about 30 minutes in really kicked it into gear. And it didn't stop, just built and built and built until that "Uprising" shot, which I swear must have been 9 minutes or more - going from the ground to an attack, to a counter-attack, to a siege across a street, up a stairwell and along a corridor, all the while explosions and squibs going off left right and centre - was the peak of the film in not just technical terms, but in every sense. Just phenomenal work.

To think that at the beginning of the year no-one had heard of this and it came pretty much out of nowhere to become something close to a modern masterpiece. Absolutely, the most impressive technical achievement of the year and another diamond in a year studded with them. We are very happy.

Cuaron used every possible technique at his disposal to make the film work and didn't make it too flashy or pretentious. Just did what it took to make the best, most effective film possible. Best Director? If there's any justice, it would be in the bag.

Does anyone know the release pattern for the film. All I can find is boxofficemojo says 16 theatres on christmas day but it does not say if it is expanding on the 29th.

It's opening in 16 markets on the 25th and going wide (2000+) on January 5th.

And yes, the movie's a masterpiece.

I've never seen anything like this movie. Maybe I'm showing my geek flag here, but I haven't been that edge-of-the-seat since "Spider-Man 2", when Dr. Octopus is throwing people off the train and Spidey is barely webbing them to safety. This movie is moving, beautiful, well-acted, sure- but man, it's also totally exciting.

Indeed. Who would've thought that a man jumpstarting a car would make for one of the most heart-stopping, suspenseful scenes in film history.

where can i find out what markets it is opening in on xmas?

http://www.moviefone.com

I've been in Texas for the holidays and the only place I've found playing it is 1 theater in Dallas, Angelika Film Center on Mockingbird near SMU campus. I had figured for sure it would be playing in or around Austin also, but, surprisingly, no.

This same theater is playing The Good German as well, looks like a double dip for me before I fly out of Dallas.

Without a doubt the best directed movie this year, and in my opinion (though I've yet to see Pan's or Letter's From Iwo Jima) the year's best film as well (topping United 93 for me).

I'm still mesmerized. I don't know how you can see this film and not immediately realize it for the instant classic it is. This better get some love come awards time.

Fantastic review, Devin. Some dick in some thread the other day posted that you clearly hate films, which is pretty lol, particularly when taking into consideration pieces like this.
I've been a bit baffled by people who tell me that this movie depressed the shit out of them. It is one of the more uplifting and hopeful films I have seen in....ever, actually, on a number of levels.
Missing this on the big screen would have to be one of the most horrific things you could put yourself through.

While technically brilliant, the movie never managed to "move" me in the same way that many others have experienced, rather I was left with a feeling of having seen this many times before. I felt that the script was a bit too weak, and characters were most often depicted as cliches (especially Caine) rather than trying something new with them. The (still miserable) elite living in sterile fortresses surrounded by works of art felt too exaggerated.

As a result, the world never felt quite believable to me - the mix of trying to keep it real and yet put a sci-fi spin on it just didn't work here. I can't exactly put my finger on it, but I didn't buy that the world had gone to hell so bad that fast. And having a "terrorist group" calling themselves the Fishes was just too damn silly.

Took my parents to the movies today, they said they wanted to see We Are Marshall. I persuaded them to see Children of Men. We saw it, they thought it was the stupidest movie of the year and wished they'd seen We Are Marshall. . . . So much for trying to inject quality cinema into the lives of my parents.

Oh well, I still think this is one of the best of the year. May it win many gold men.

The "this film is depressing" cries are fucking bizarre. It's exhilarating, moving, shockingly funny in places, and ultimately uplifting. Then again, it requires the casual contemporary observer to contemplate how we're allowing society to fuck itself up, which I guess is too much for some to take.

Depressing? Complete nonsense. The scene near the end of the film that I believe Devin is talking about has to be the most uplifting I've seen in ages. The looks on the peoples faces and their reactions made me choke up. You could feel a weight being lifted off everyone's shoulders, if only for a little while. I just can't rave about this picture enough. Having seen it so long ago, it was difficult waiting for it to open in the US so I could discuss about it.

Jesus, that was a fantastic review.

I must see this film.

Holy shit, that review made me much more sore about having missed this movie.

Come on, dvd edition!

THis is a movie I have so much anticipation for I'm avoiding reading as much as I can about it before I see it, including all the bulleting posts preceeding this one. I need to see when it's coming to providence.

Man, no offense, but I want to punch your parents in the soul.

Did anyone get an "If Lennon lived" vibe from Caine?

This movie reminded me why I thought V for Vendetta was a piece of shit. This is how V should've been done.

Good call. I have a very similar statement in my "best of" article.

I had to dig around to see if some of those shots were spliced together digitally in some way. But it looks like a few, if not all (At least the scene with the flaming car barracade) were done the old fashion way without green screen. Pretty freakin' impressive.

http://www.doggicam.com/twoaxisdolly.php

I didn't love it nearly as much as many here...I loved parts of it, and I admired the whole thing.

I'm curious how many people who DIDN'T think it was depressing have children. Because NO dystopian future has ever been THIS depressing. And the film ends hopeful, because it has dragged you through a highlight reel of humanity's worst. There is a reason they used the sounds over the credits they used. Lacking those did make the film very depressing. That's not a criticism, by the by. Just an observation.

The scene Devin mentions (at the tail end of the BIG, LONG shot) is one of the finest scenes ever put to film. Some might have been at the verge of tears, but I was long gone into them before he started moving down the stairs.

Actually, this camera would allow them to digitally merge together a number of takes into one long shot. Cuaron wouldn't have to worry about finding the one ten minute long take that worked - he could take two minutes from take 5, seven from take 3 and a minute from take 10 and digitally join them. There are some telltale signs of this, including the moment where the car windshield shatters in the long car interior shot. I would bet money that's a digital seam.

I also noticed the way blood disappears from the lens when Owen enters the building and rays of light hit the camera. So, yeah, there are definitely some where subtle invisible cuts, but that doesn't make it any less impressive.

And at the end of the car scene, the camera "exits" the car, which would be impossible to do in a single take. There may be some disappearing blood on the lens there as well. Still, it's a great way of showing how technology can be used to enhance a scene without letting it get in your face.

One of the things I love about Jean Cocteau's cinema is that how he does his "tricks" are kind of obvious (film running backwards for instance), but no less impressive. I feel the same way about Cuaron's tracking shots. Yes, there may have been some CGI assists but it just doesn't matter, because of what the camera shots do to the viewer. These are ideologically-driven one take shots that convey cinematic ideas, much as the tracking shot into the Copa did.

Loved the movie. One of the best of 2006

Useless data: I am a neighbor and friend of the kid who plays Diego Ricardo. He is an Argentienan actor called Juan Yacuzzi.

What a year. I keep seeing great film after great film, each movie one-upping the last. However, Children of Men didn't just one-up Pan's Labyrinth (my previous pick for best of the year) it fucking decimated it. Children of Men is bar none one of the best films I have ever seen in a theater. From the direction, which was easily the best of any film this year, to the performances (Michael Caine is John Lennon), and even the soundtrack whose combination of natural sound with sparse orchestra and a variety of rock (and some gangsta rap) was masterful, no film weaved such a truly believable world.

It's a film with a message of hope, one that can be seen through actions and gestures, but almost never through dialogue, the sign of a great script. Amidst the chaos of a broken world, the film offers up beautiful, heart-breaking imagery. This film destroyed me. I don't know if there's anyone who couldn't be moved by this work of art. I’m not sure if I can talk about this film without being hyperbolic, I just need o let it stew and see it again, very, very soon.

From the amazing suspense, to the moments of humor that litter the film, Cuarón prevents the film form being completely bleak (even after one of the biggest shocks I’ve ever been subjected to in a film).

JuddL I agree completely. This is the film V for Vendetta should have been.

Perfect point. I couldn't agree more. This film is fabulous is all areas. The problem with V for Vendetta is that it tried to answer all the questions. Children of Men is not just about the situation, it's about the characters. Who cares why women are infertile? Who care who blew up who? Will the women survive? That's what matters. Pan's Labryinth, while a fucking masterpiece, does fall shrot when compared to this film. Perhaps because Children of Men is so relevent to todays society. There are elements of the film that don't even begin to scratch the depth of Pan's. But they are also two very very different films. (I love Pan's to death) The film also gave hope to whatever culture that exists in the present will have an impact on the future.

Simply unbelievable. Cuarón and Lubezki made some truly inspiring work. Owen once again proves why he's one of the top actors today. I have never seen a death scene so fucking funny but in the very next instance so tragic. Owen sells the scene wonderly. The ambush scene, the escape scene, the battle scene near the end...stunning.

Saw it yesterday for the first time. Missed it when it was out in the cinemas over here. I thought it was absoloutely incredible, easily one of the best films Ive seen in a long time and ever.

Clive Owen going from careless zombie to the saviour of humanity was indeed a strong character that gives a little hope to us all - the fact that trumpets werent blazing and he grounded this change is credit to the actor too - not enough fanfaring about him.

Cuaron is a genius, the impossible long shots he used were amazingly pulled off. There were hidden cuts here and there, but the scenes in which those shots are used are so engrossing its hard to tell.

I loved the concept from the first moment I heard it - a nice blend of Handmaids tale, Y the last Man, Fahrenheit 451 in my head. The film superceded these by being something I havent seen for a while - ORIGINAL. I didnt know how it was going to turn out, it had balls and challenged me. Caine damn near stole the film - the guy can ACT (as someone apart form Michael Caine - your turn now Connery!!). It was complicated, subtle and rewarded the viewers intelligence - I hope its a huge hit and opens doors for support to go to filmmakers like Cuaron and allow straight vision to make it to the screen.

Sorry for the slight length of this babble - I havent been blown away by a film for some time.

dvd is out in a fortnight if you are R2 capable.

The thought did cross my mind. But I can't hold it against them, I kinda knew it was going to crash and burn for them, but I was holding out for some hope that they'd like it. They're old and like things safe.

Wow, a designer of the DVD cover was feeling very enthusiastic and artistic that day.

Saw this again today, of course it was just as good if not better than the first time. It was cool to sit back and focus on the camera work and the little details in the background. Some of those long takes were definitely digital chicanery (good call on the focus on the windshield Dev), but no less impressive with that knowledge.

The vision on display is truly an achievement. This world isn't some two dimensional offspring of Hollywood magic, it is a real, living, breathing world, and we are invited to observe it.

I'm so happy for Cuaron and everyone involved that something so wonderful was created out of their performances. This is the kind of movie that represents everything I love about film in the first place. It's the kind of film that makes me wish I had majored in film. It's the kind of film that challenges me as a person, that challenges me to think and to take control of my life, to not fall victim to apathy and ambivalence, to not allow the inertia of irrationality and ignorance to strip away the little hope in humanity that I have left. That may sound extreme, but given a life and a world that's shaped me into a hardened and hopeless cynic I need art like this to melt my heart.

Bravo Alfonso, Bravo.

Devin I think you are completely right about how Cuaron created those long shots, in the new Del Torro interview on AICN, DT says he has sworn not to tell how Cuaron created those long shots, thus it was not just a case of uncanny planning and timing. I am sure you are right about the windsheild shattering segment as a merging point, good observation.

What a year for movies! Best I've seen in a long time, those one-takes were stunning...

Any thoughts on the title? I'm curious how others interpret it.

My friend and I had a long talk about the title. We actually ended up comparing the title to Little Children. Another title that has an alternative interpretation than you first think.

Found this psalm quote from the book, but I'm sure there can be alternate interpretations:

"Lord, thou hast been our refuge: from one generation to another. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever the earth and the world were made: thou art God from everlasting, and world without end. Thou turnest man to destruction: again thou sayest, Come again, ye children of men. For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday: Seeing that is past as a watch in the night"

What I find really impressive is that this film far exceeds its moderate source novel.

These long shots are definitely edited right?I haven't seen the movie yet but I read an interview with Clive in GQ and he said the one shots were seamless and you could not spot where one ended or the other began...It sounds like it worked pretty well for you all.I hope I don't pay too much attention to it.

I saw this and Pan's in the same day and I loved this movie to death, I just could not believe how completely the world was, when it was so character driven.

As for the comparisons to V for Vendetta, Childern Of Men was far less (in your face) liberal i felt, the enemy was not a single person but it Humanity it's self. I loved that, theres no one to blame so Humanity turns on its self.

As for the title; I felt that it was the idea that the child was more Theo's child than anyones, see how he gave so much more that everyone (doing much of it without shoes too).

I also love of the Action was real, such the car door as a weapon was cool but i was also pratical too. The terror and fear that the battle scenes gave me was all most to much, i was truely scaried.

I thought that the open scene was the scariest thing ever, and the way the ringing played for a good 2 mins. Amazing. I loved how Theo asked to be excuded from work becasue he's taking Deago's death really hard, went he just walked out of a coffee shop that was bomed seconds after.

I loved this movie, and sorry makes no sense and for the spelling errors.

Saw it this weekend, and like everyone else here I was floored. The ping pong ball exchange was the single most moving human moment I've seen on film in years, making what follows all the more shocking and devastating. I am now a true fan of Cuaron.

I saw PAN'S LABYRINTH the next day, and though I liked it a lot, it was anticlimactic after seeing CHILDREN OF MEN. Glad I got them both in before the end of the year.

Upon leaving CHILDREN OF MEN, I heard some old codger grousing that it was the worst film he had ever seen. I can't even wrap my brain around that opinion.

when does this open nationwide?

I was s o surprised by how good this movie was that I hung around for a second showing. I went into it expecting that AI dropoff, glad it didn't disappoint.

This opens here this Friday and I plan on dragging the wife out to see it.