by Sun Meilan

Created on: August 11, 2010

Theo Faron is a journalist in London in 2027, in a world where no more children are being born, and everyone is devastated at the knowledge that mankind will very soon die out. His ex-wife, an activist called Julian suddenly comes back into his life, asking for his help. She has miraculously found a pregnant woman called Kee, the first woman in eighteen years to become pregnant. Theo needs to find a way of keeping Kee safe from the many nationalist cults that have sprung up around the country, getting her to the mysterious Human Project, which can only be reached by sea. But as Theo tries to do what he sees as the right thing, his friends are being picked off one by one. Will he eventually be able to get Kee and her baby to the Human Project? Or are they all doomed to die?

Children of Men is based on the book of the same name by P D James (or Baroness James of Holland Park). James is better known for her crime fiction, so this is something quite different and, to be honest, expectations weren't particularly high. However, it is an excellent film - both from the story point of view and the way that it has been translated on screen. Clive Owen was quite a big surprise. He is great as Theo - tough, uncompromising and yet with a real desire to do his best for Julian and Kee. There isn't really much in the way of character development, because it simply isn't that type of film, but there are enough hints of his innate goodness to ensure that the viewer is completely behind him and what he is trying to do. 

Julianne Moore plays Julian, and has much less of a role than was expected, bearing in mind she is usually second in the billing. However, she works well with what she has and, because her role is so pivotal in the film, she does create an impression. Kee is played by Clare-Hope Ashitey, a young actress with a very short filmography, but her performance as a new mother is excellent. Not knowing anyone who has been pregnant or given birth before, she is utterly confused and terrified, yet is determined to save her baby no matter what - even though it means asking for help from people she doesn't know. Hopefully, her career will continue to grow. It was an utter pleasure to see two stalwart British actors in the form of Michael Caine, who plays an ageing hippy, instrumental in helping Theo and Kee, and Pam Ferris as Miriam, a former midwife determined to help Kee with her pregnancy. 

The story is a truly moving one, all the more so because it is portrayed

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