Children of Men -- A belated view

Posted by clarkjohnsen (R) on February 14, 2007 at 11:54:42

Saw this a couple of weeks ago with a friend in San Diego and have been mulling it over ever since. We both agreed, it was great, great. Most everything that can be said about it, has been already, and most everyone knows the general outline too, so:

Technically the film was masterful, lots of action without a single (so far as I could see) frame of digital FX. Dramatically, itâ€™s a series of set pieces that not only hang together but are almost psychically draining in their intensity. As one critic (Lisa Schwartzbaum) noted, â€œThereâ€™s no gap between entertainment and art.â€

Ah, but the music! Few have spoken of that.

The film opens with â€“ and how long has it been since youâ€™ve heard this? â€“ In the Court of the Crimson King. Val and I looked at each otherâ€¦

And older British rock music is heard throughout, with several appearances by Pink Floyd. At two points the visuals flash Pink as well: A brief re-creation of the Animals cover with Pigs on the Wing (the great balloon), and even more briefly, as the illegal immigrants flooding post-Apocalypse Britain are shipped off in boxcars, we see their faces turn into the masks of Pink Floydâ€™s The Wall, in a similar setting.

Most searing of all, and not likely to be caught by many, was the song sung at low volume in the background as the Clive Owen character (what a great actor!) overhears a discussion about his deceased child. It was Nun will die Sonn' so hell aufgeh'n -- from Mahlerâ€™s Kindertotenlieder (Songs on the Death of Children). Whew!

This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:

Topic - Children of Men -- A belated view - clarkjohnsen 11:54:42 02/14/07 (22)

Re: Children of Men -- A belated view - Vinyleer 18:42:25 02/17/07 (1)

What's the *matter* with you? nt - clarkjohnsen 12:34:14 02/18/07 (0)

Re: Children of Men -- A belated view - rico 12:14:36 02/15/07 (1)

"Didja notice Michael Caine's audio equipment?" Yes, but don't recall now. Did *you* notice... - clarkjohnsen 12:33:18 02/15/07 (0)

This was my top film of 2006. - Harmonia 18:06:20 02/14/07 (1)

"I haven't been as emotionally overwhlemed in a movie theater in a long time." Yes... - clarkjohnsen 11:25:14 02/15/07 (0)

I will see it as soon as possible and I hope the film is more original than the music track. - tinear 17:01:39 02/14/07 (11)

The film is brilliant. So there. - Harmonia 17:49:57 02/14/07 (1)

"It helps if one pays attention." And arrives without baggage. nt - clarkjohnsen 11:26:29 02/15/07 (0)

more than just Pink Floyd - tunenut 17:47:17 02/14/07 (8)

But this list leaves out... - Harmonia 17:52:17 02/14/07 (7)

yes indeed - tunenut 17:56:16 02/14/07 (6)

More music...classical excerpts... - Harmonia 18:13:14 02/14/07 (5)

"Penderecki: Threnody For The Victims Of Hiroshima." Ah, yes. Should have mentioned. - clarkjohnsen 11:30:13 02/15/07 (2)

I recognized his voice almost instantly... - Harmonia 20:31:06 02/16/07 (1)

"OOOOOOooo you bad on the Penderecki! LOL!" The only question was... - clarkjohnsen 10:32:41 02/17/07 (0)

If indeed you heard those and knew what they were during the - tinear 20:07:16 02/14/07 (1)

Thank you. I am, in fact... - Harmonia 20:36:34 02/16/07 (0)

Excellent review - Analog Scott 16:31:27 02/14/07 (0)

for reasons I do not comprehend - Duilawyer 15:56:04 02/14/07 (1)

Tell it to the moderator. - clarkjohnsen 11:22:07 02/15/07 (0)

for once I agree completely with you - tunenut 14:11:16 02/14/07 (0)

You can not post to an archived thread.