Children of Men - The Importance of Hope
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- čas přidán 25. 08. 2017
- This week's video essay is a film analysis of Children of Men. We explore hope director Alfonso Cuarón builds up an extraordinary world, and what happens when hope is introduced to it.
/ jackmoviereview
Special thanks to Christian for Voice Over post processing, check out his channel here:
/ @truefilm1556 - Krátké a kreslené filmy
One of the most underrated movies for me. People know its good but i feel like its more than that
It really is something special!
Jack's Movie Reviews great Video btw, i think this combined with nerdwriters Video paint a perfect picture and show what makes it special. You didnt copy anything and gave your own perspectice which complements his really well!
I kind of want to think, that films like this isn`t underrated ones, but audience is not always on that level where this movie is. Great movie, but not for everyone sure :)
Juha Lipsanen i kinda like that thought, it feels more optimistic
This movie is hardly underrated. Gets critical acclaim everywhere.
The films cinematography is absolutely breathtaking
True, it had some of the best long take scenes I've ever seen.
It's no secret that Lubezki is a genius cinematographer, and this is one of the best movies out there!
MrSquifler yeah, i kinda assumed that was the case (like Birdman i guess), still, very very impressive.
Loved the long shot sequence.
You’re breathtaking
Just a detail: The "Guernica" painting its not really about the Francoist dictatorship directly, but about the bombing of the town of Guernica by the Nazi and Italian Fascist air forces supporting the nationalists during the Civil War. If anything it may be foreshadowing the aerial carpet bombing at the end of the film.
+alhesiad Just my humble input: George Orwell's book "Animal Farm" isn't exclusively about Russia under Joseph Stalin either. What counts (IMHO) in the context of this movie, is that both works of art are anti dictatorship and anti totalitarianism. Lots of videos and articles online that go into detail about the two works of art respectively. Now add to that Pink Floyd's album "Animals" and you get a bigger picture, the movie is trying to convey through art (among many other themes). The Pink Floyd album is inspired by George Orwell's 1945 book, but the lyrics imply that it is anti capitalism - depicted through pigs, dogs and sheep. And it goes even further than that: the album was also a statement against punk music, which in turn was an anti prog-rock (and therefore also anti Pink Floyd) movement.
@@truefilm1556 I only see facts
Whoah!
Great aptitude
"It's one of the greatest movies of all time." I couldn't agree more.
Never accept what you know is not right. That's what this film taught me at least
Definitely, an important and powerful story.
Ross Loves Movies What does that saying mean???
In real life, sometimes you can only choose between two wrongs
Fantastic, let's change the path we're on.
At the end, and Theo’s last kindly act is when he shows her how to hold her baby, and the smile on his face as he passes on, knowing his life had meaning & purpose...
Well done. When asked what my favorite movie is, I respond with children of men. Thank you for providing new insight. What a masterpiece in cinema.
Of course, I'm glad you enjoyed!
Absolutely. This film is a looking glass for sure.
Children of Men is so good, it makes me cry everytime, in part I think it is the incredible score and cinematography, mixed with Clive owen in the role of a lifetime. Not to mention all the bit parts along the well played so well.
Definitely, it's such a powerful film.
I teared up watching this review of this incredible movie.
This is a masterpiece of a movie.
Yes
I still get choked up, every time, during that temporary cease-fire. Thank you so much Jack for another lovely and insightful review.
One of the most powerful scenes that I have ever seen!
I finally watched this and found myself very dissatisfied by the ending, pretty much starting with the cease-fire. The entire movie kept harping on how if anybody found out she was pregnant it would be really really really bad. They had person after person betraying them in order to gain possession of the baby for their own purposes. And yet... suddenly, when A LOT of people see the baby, nobody - on either side - actually does anything. And I can kind of see it from the one side if I stretch my suspension of disbelief (like, I guess Sid was literally the only opportunistic bastard in the whole of the impoverished, desperate, dehumanized colony? The same one that showed a whole bunch of opportunistic people approaching the two heroes as they finally got inside the zone?). But I just can't believe that NOBODY on the military/government's side thinks "hang on a second, this is probably a very important development and we need to immediately reprioritize into getting this kid and mom right the fuck out," whether for good or nefarious purposes. "Hey, this lady is the first to have a kid in 20 years ... okay, I guess we're just going to let her fuck off to wherever then and never think about that again?" The music also kind of bothered me, like between the silence and the kneeling and the touching it just seemed suddenly so... unsubtle, and that combined with what felt to me like a really big deus ex machina it just felt really jarring compared till then - which I thought was *excellent* and really enjoyed. I was also dissatisfied with *when* they end. I do like ambiguous endings - but I would have preferred that the ending occur just *before* the ship is sighted, leaving that much more to speculate about in the end.
Curious about your thoughts on this, I did find a bunch of discussion on it with people stating which side they fell on of that notion, but not anything going into why the people who like the whole movie feel that it *did* still work, and if I'm missing something that would up my enjoyment of this movie (holy shit, did I love Michael Caine), then I would love to hear about it.
Incredibly relevant cinema. Cuaron was, and is b4 his time.
This is the movie I was looking for. I watched parts of it when I was a kid and stuck in my head ever since. Thanks.
You are young then. Don't let our future dissolve. Sincerely, an older human being. We are counting on you! No pressure. Wink wink
There's no way for me watch this movie and not feel something. And the movie makes you feel hopelessness for the most part, that is until that scene when they come down the stairs. It speaks volumes to the directing and writing, but also the performances. Great review, Jack.
Thanks Estevão!
I love at the end when Theo gives his fatherly advice on how to hold a baby and he dies with a satisfied look, like his death and life has meaning
Dude, thank you so much for doing this movie! It's absolutely one of my favorites. From the visual storytelling to the compelling characters, it really struck a chord with me.
Thank you for watching!
imo one the best sci fi movie of all time and is criminally underrated.
Nice touch putting the snippit of "In the Court of the Crimson King" in the beginning there. When I heard that first start playing in the movie, I was like "Wtf? YEEAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!"
It has a great soundtrack!
Children of Men is one of my favourite movies. Great job, Jack!
woah, Owen is here?
Thanks Owen! Glad you enjoyed!
You can tell that Alfonso Cuaron has a good music taste because of the Pink Floyd's reference and King Crimson song
And radiohead's track "life in a glasshouse" makes an appearance in jasper's living room
From "hail to the thief".... During the strawberry cough scene
This is a story of biblical proportions, that's what makes it so good.
Yes
huh, clive owen and chiwetel ejiofor were in 2 criminally underrated masterpieces together in 2006, children of men and inside man.
It's 2024. Your take on this masterpiece is great. Thank you for making it relevant, as our world now is headed toward a similar path. In my 50+yrs on our planet COM remains in the top 3 of my favorite movies of all time.
Thank you very much. This is one of my favorite films ever, and I think that Cuaron is one of the best directors working today. The Academy Awards know nothing, Children Of Men should have won at least Best Picture, Best Director and Best Cinematography in 2006.
+Fer Dumas - absolutely! At least it won a BAFTA award for best cinematography (Emmanuel Lubezki)and was nominated for an Oscar in the same category, among various other nominations.
Well the Academy: no comment needed.
truefilm True. But you don't see that quality of filmmaking so often. It's a masterpiece
truefilm if Chivo (Lubezki) won best cinematography for this movie he would be tied for most cinematography wins at 4
The Depahted
"No-no, it's alright. It's me."
i love this film so much -- i had the experience of desperately wanting to stop watching it because it felt like the weight of the world was on my chest, but i was glued to the screen the entire time. fantastic performances! and a great video!!
"Art comes from the future" - Jonathan Meese
So, no wonder, there isn't any new art in Children of Men.
Great essay. Agree with you: the reason why it was not nominated for best picture/director in its year is beyond my understanding.
This channel is so damn underrated. Great video, keep it up Jack
Thank you James! Glad you enjoyed!
Greetings from Delhi, India!
In spite of countless analyses done on the main theme of the movie, you still brought about a newer perspective. But, most importantly, you managed to give a fresh one !
That's always my goal-glad I could achieve it here!
My love back to Delhi (and all of India for that matter!)
One of the best films of the 21st century. Man, it's so sad.
Great work once again!
Thanks Ryan!
Jack's Movie Reviews I love your analysis on movies. Keep up the fantastic work.
The foreground is just as important as the background. Cuaron. Genius cinema
4:20 I love the detail of the bus windows getting blown in, never noticed that before
If Children of Men and Blade Runner (2019 & 2049) were to become real in our world, man it would suck.
Children of Men increasingly looking like a documentary
I loved this movie to death. Its like tree of life but in a world that is immersive or captivating. Terrance is good, but I don't see why people dislike him. But this movie was good and even looked good for a 2006 movie, the CGI and practical effect were stunning.
That scene where Theo and Kee make there way out of the building and all the soldier's stop to let them through and the only sound is the baby crying. Powerful stuff.
I show this film to people who say. "I don't watch movies."
Good analysis I noticed you didn't add the subtle references to escaping the past or change and the suffering that comes with that to an unknowing future paradise. When there is a destination that has promise. For the pregnant character doctors. You have hope and the power to endure the pain of change.
I got taken into the movie when after Theo almost got blown up in the coffee shop. Then when he arrived at work, not a single news about what has taken place few minutes earlier. Every channel and everyone only care about the death of Diego. Even Theo, when he wanted to take a day off from work, he gave an excuse that the Diego death really affected him. This alone gives me a picture of the world they are all living in.
Amazing cinematography + In the Court of the Crimson King= Perfection
Always love your videos mate, chills me right out 👌
Thank you!
I'm going to watch it again this evening and find it even more absorbing.
It's definitely a movie that sucks you in!
I was a teacher of HS Physics. After I saw this I decided to play it for my class. Almost all my students asked, "what the hell does this have to do with Physics Mr????". Nothing but the beauty of this film I felt had to be shared. There was a big blow back from parents and Administration but it was worth it. Many of my students were impressed by it and thanked me for it. I am no longer a teacher....
Yikes
I think everyone needs to watch this film. It's okay thinking that countries are fine having such low birthrates but this film really explains the social, economic and political repercussions of infertility. The other issues at the time such as politics, immigration, war are emplified as well.
*Second best cinematography in film history.*
what's first?
orfeas Stanley Kubrick's *Barry Lyndon*
Same here: what is your Nr. 1?
Stanley Kubrick's *BARRY LYNDON!*
+Clarke Wolf excellent choice!
Wonderful review!! I love this movie SO much!! Watching your video brought my ears to my eyes.... AGAIN!!
Thanks❣️
Thank you for this thoughtful review of one of the most important films of our time.
What a great film... overdue for a rewatch. Thanks for the video.
Great screenplay and production.
One of my favorite movies ever....awesome analysis.....subscribed...
They did such a good job at making a dystopian future it crushed me. True coming out of the building was powerful and inspired but on the scoreboard, I have to give the win to despair. Tough watch.
One of the best movie ever made yep you said it
One of the best films of all time
this movie had a lasting impression on me. yes, truly a masterpeice
Glad i own this movie! One of the best movies ever made in my opinion, Gives a life lesson about hope.
I cannot imagine a more prophetic a statement of our situation.
Amazing movie, i have seen it 4 times already. Great review also, like always!
Thank you!
Great piece on this movie, although I would argue that it is unclear whether Theo survives at the end of the movie or not with the arrival of the boat ⛵
Great Job, I subscribed last month. Keep it up.
Awesome! Glad you've been enjoying!
this film devastated me the first time i saw it, and still every time after. i am 51 now and have always been a bit of a Doom Sayer, since i was a teen n the 80s i have felt the world is getting worse and worse and partially because of that i have never wanted kids and i do not really like kids anyway. but i absolutely get and understand the metaphor of this film and what seeing this pregnant girl means, and i absolutely feel the hope and purpose it gives him. it even makes me better understand what it must be like for those people that say they have had a religious experience, and how life changing a moment or event could possibly be for someone, and i keep hoping that some day something will happen to give me this kind of hope and meaning.
Thank you so much! Going to watch it now. Better late than never, eh?
this is such a great film
Thanks the film was much better than the book I found!
Amazing film
It's really fantastic. I just watched it day before yesterday. If i hadn't watched it then i was gonna watch the movie before this review.
great flick
Definitely! I'm glad I was able to finally discuss it!
Can anyone recommend more films like this ?
I jus can’t get enough.
Good video 👍 on a good movie. I have seen this movie in pieces. Never saw the ending until now, lol, which is not a problem for me. A good movie can't be spoilt. Good work!
a great movie!
I saw this movie in a limited release in 2006 at a small independent run theater. I was a Junior in high school and when I saw this movie I was in utter horror. It was beautiful but also extremely grim. I walked out telling my friend, "that guy was in our generation." Theo being 40 in the future. Children of Men is still one of the best movies I've seen but it's not something I come back to with glee everytime. It still gives me chill on how it depicts the modern world.
Fuck, i forgot how much I love this film. Gonna rewatch it tonite, thank you. And great review of it aswell.
Great analysis as always! Could you do a video on Memento or Citizen Kane? I think there's a lot to be analyzed in both.
I love both of those movies, there's definitely a discussion coming sometime!
One of the best movies ever made indeed
You got to have hope! "Lift up your hearts above the present and look with eyes of faith into the future! Today the seed is sown, the grain falls upon the earth, but behold the day will come when it shall rise a glorious tree and the branches thereof shall be laden with fruit." ~Baha'i Thought
Best movie ever imo
Fantastic analysis/dissection as always! Thanks for filling us in, in detail, on the way art is depicted, used and referenced in this movie!
Couldn't agree more about the cinematography. Usually not a huge fan of that "drained" color grading that was all the rage starting back in the early 2000s, but here not only serves it to create the mood and feel spot-on, it is also done expertly. It looks both depressing and gorgeous at the same time.
Thanks for sharing, yet again, your thoughts and great insight on an incredible movie that is about so much more than just its narrative!
[Edit]: fully agreed: Michael Caine is awesome in this!
Thank you. It definitely has a washed out look, but it really works in this movie. Also Michael Caine is perfect!
Does anyone happen to know what Mic and sound equipment Jack uses? It's really nice.
Great analysis! Regarding Guernica though: 'The title 'Guernica' refers to the city that was bombed by Nazi planes during the Spanish Civil War. The painting depicts the horrors of war and as a result, has come to be an anti-war symbol and a reminder of the tragedies of war.'
+Xeronimo74 please allow me just to complete the information: the Basque (Northern Spain) town Guernica was bombed at the request of Nationalist Francoist Spain by both Nazi German and Fascist Italian warplanes, both allies of Francisco Franco's Nationalist Spain. Just to put it into context.
Been a long time since I saw this movie. Glad to see it on here!
How do you come up with ideas for what movies to review / dissect?
I take a lot of suggestions from everyone who comments, I also have a spreadsheet with movies I'd like to discuss.
and check out other Cuaron movies too. Brilliant! Try And your Mother, too (Y tu mama tambien). Really looking forward to seeing Rome
one of my favorite things about this film is that the old gypsy lady speaks romani instead of english with gypsy accent, and so does the old german lady that we see detained she speaks german!
This is maybe the most real movie ive ever seen. God damn its fucking brilliant.
I remember it came out when I was in film college and was so mad how the whole class didnt apreciate this masterpiece of a film
+ Lotfi KAZ - Can't comment on that specific class. Been to film college myself way back in the day (dropped out after having learned absolutely nothing). Check this: we went to a screening of some art movie and then we discussed about it. Why would I want to know the uneducated opinion (just like my own) of a fellow student? I want to know the nuts and bolts and earn the right of an educated opinion first. No such luck. I guess most people just go after names.
I bet if you show some random footage from the 1960s (scratched Super 8mm film) and say: this was Kubrick's first movie - the students would see a masterpiece. Sad truth: Children Of Men somehow went under the radar, so it's a "safe" opinion having none..... oh well....
truefilm by the way I quit university after the first year when i learned that steven spielberg or kubrick never went film school
Favorite movie 👌
Its just a great movie
best movie ever made.
MMMM that King Crimson at the start
When a movie gives me a soundtrack that good to work with-you know I'm working with it!
It’s a brilliant film
Misery creates art. I don't believe that the end of the world would stop art. The art collection represents the old world being destroyed, but it doesn't mean there aren't any artists left.
Look at the Great Depression
Any plans for doing Baby Driver (when the bluray releases of course) and the way it utilizes the soundtrack?
Definitely a discussion of Baby Driver, but I'm not sure if the entire focus will be the soundtrack
PLEASE do Old Boy (2003) I know you of all people would truly grant the plot the appreciation it deserves.
Best sci-fi movie of the 2000s.
Have you ever thought about doing an analysis on Taxi Driver, Jack?
Hope is the opium of emotions
An incredible movie about the value of keeping hope alive, and especially relevant as the US, and Western civilization at a whole, becomes rapidly and seemingly inexorably polarized. One detail I noticed that I don't think I've seen anywhere else is that, at the Fish's safehouse in the country, the Polish guy (I forget his name) remarks that the animals like Theo, and that they don't like anybody. Theo is one of the few who holds out hope, and thus, remains human; the loss of hope has destroyed the humanity of most everyone else on the planet. The right-wing government is of course a dehumanization machine that views people as disposable objects, and the Fishes are so wrapped-up in their ideology that they have ceased to value human life at all, even the lives of the refugees of Bexhill that they claim to be fighting for. Hope survives by such a narrow margin, but if it does not then we will cease to exist. We are perilously close to losing hope now.
Caine said that he was inspired by John Lennon, and his conversations with him. Legend.
That King Crimson's opening...
Since your talking about a Alfonso Courons movie can you please please please talk about all the Harry Potter films please Jack
Maybe, if you're interested in a fascinating look into the series, be sure to check out some of Dr. Jordan Peterson's talks about Harry Potter.
Jack's Movie Reviews yeah I'm into that stuff but also there is a lot to talk about when it comes to Harry Potter
What's the opening song
I had passed this film by until certain nuances were pointed out to me, mainly the 'watch the background' it was then the whole film opened up to me
Do you know of any other films that talk about infertility? Also great review man once again. I think this is one of the best films of the decade.
Thank you!
I can't think of any off the top of my head that deal with infertility on a large scale, there are obviously much more personal dramas about it.
Well hope to see some other classic films to review.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guernica_(Picasso) not "Gernico", it's not really about Franco himself, but rather an incident under his time in power.
What's creepy is that this future is where we're heading... by choice.... When people can't find any joy in a new human being coming into this world, we are so fucked