Code 46, a sci-fi with Tim Robbins and Samantha Morton

Posted by free.ranger (A) on March 8, 2020 at 10:34:49

This is a BBC film released in 2003. The time and setting is in a dystopian future of authoritarian societies, but this is really a bittersweet noir romance.

Daily life is lived according to many universal codes, replacing national laws. Robbins is an investigator sent to find a perp (Morton) working in a documents manufacturing facility. Travel is extremely restricted in these times of high environmental damages and hazards. Society is divided between those well-off in cities, and those less fortunate living "outside". Travel in and out is highly restricted. This is a world of advanced technology where extensive cloning and virus implantations are used to shape individuals talents, skills, character, and to shape behavior.

The cloning has made it necessary to forbid sex between people within a percentage of genetic sameness (Code 46), but random associations make it usually an unknown factor before the act. Robbins, married and a father, falls in love with Morton even though he has figured out that she is the forger. She gets pregnant, he can't do much.

The fallout is tragic, as these kinds of things always are. Nothing good happens to Morton, although she maintains a beautiful air of romance throughout the ordeal. She carries a kind of sexy, naive lovingness in her relationship. Robbins is as usual -- terrific in his subtle understated presence.

In all, the future looks dim as a perfect backdrop for this doomed romance. We have gotten hooked on happy endings, so you might not like this sort of noir tragedy, but its a great film with deep feeling. A reminder that things don't always work out.

BTW, Morton may have been the first to speak up about Weinstein, jump starting the me-too movement.

Edit: I include a caution here for people with less than a sterling relationship track record to NOT view this with your SO or spousal unit if you are not clean in that regard. No judgement implied, but things could get a bit raw if seen together. This is not a Disney ending.

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Topic - Code 46, a sci-fi with Tim Robbins and Samantha Morton - free.ranger 10:34:49 03/08/20 (0)

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