Top 25 Countdown — No. 19


Today I continue my top 25 countdown with a look at a classic from Alfonso Cuaron.


No. 19 — Children of Men (2006)
Starring: Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Caine, and Danny Huston
Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Quote: "I can't really remember when I last had any hope, and I certainly can't remember when anyone else did either. Because really, since women stopped being able to have babies, what's left to hope for?" — Theo
About: I didn't really know much about the story when I went to see "Children of Men." I'd vaguely heard that critics loved it and I knew it was some sort of dystopian story, but I didn't have a lot of high expectations. What I got blew me away. Cuaron was probably best known for directing the third "Harry Potter" movie at the time, but what he did with this movie was incredible. It's a tough story to tell, but it's incredibly fascinating. The film is set in a dystopian future where women can't have babies. But then one gets pregnant. She represents the hope for a dying world. And one man — a cynic named Theo — is somehow entrusted with her car. His cold view of the world is brought into the warm light of hope. It's a beautiful film with plenty of allusions to a life of faith. It features beautiful performances and a beautifully told story. It's a powerful film with a powerful message. I championed the film after seeing it, but alas it didn't sweep the awards that year as it should have. Still, I'm moved whenever I watch it. It remains a somewhat little seen film, but I think it might be Cuaron's best.
Rating: R for strong violence, language, some drug use and brief nudity.

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