One of the best movies of 2006 was United 93, the account of what might have happened aboard the fourth plane hijacked by the Muslims on 9/11 and driven into the ground in Pennsylvania. The story of the average Americans ambushed and ruthlessly attacked that day, coming to terms with the reality of the situation and fighting back, ultimately succeeding in preventing a larger catastrophe was riveting and jarring and inspirational and beautiful.
Perhaps the only movie I saw in 2006 that was better was Children of Men. I saw it a few weeks ago and was knocked out by it. The 91% positive rating at Rotten Tomatoes shows I'm not alone in my admiration. But even when people agree, it always amazes me the different things people take away from movies. For example, take Minnesota Public Radio's reviewer (please), who interpreted the meaning of the film as:
.... if there's a great movie about the alienation of modern life and xenophobia paralyzing the world, it's not Babel. It's Children of Men.
Remember, this is the same reviewer who extolled the greatness of United 93 because:
Greengrass' movie is an indictment of how the government reacted to the hijackings that day and how a small group of people just like you and me made a decision to take control of a plane.
Perhaps not coincidentally, the reviewer getting it exactly wrong happens to be the one paid for by our tax dollars. At least she does consistently provide the service of revealing the truth as seen through the thick lenses of liberal, politically correct goggles.
Far from a message about alienation and xenophobia, though my goggles, Children of Men is the most powerful pro life message I've seen in any mass media vehicle.
The context of Children of Men is science fiction, a world where the human race can no longer procreate and the resulting collapse of society. The impact of this scenario was enhanced by the Mark Steyn commentary I had been reading before hand, through his recent book and related columns. As he documents, the real world is full of societies systematically, by choice, eliminating its children. All European countries are below the replacement fertility rate of 2.1. In Mother Russia, abortions outnumber births by a ratio of 2-to-1. Even here in the God-fearin', allegedly theocracy-leaning USA, around a million abortions per year.
The reasons are varied, but, especially in this country, it is the teaching of modern secular society that children are an expensive burden and an impediment to the good life, which consists of acquiring material possessions and indulging any personal whim you may summon. What's extraordinary about Children of Men is its reminding us that for the good life, for any life, children are all that matter.
To be clear, this movie is not some sort of conservative retribution fantasy. The state was depicted as fascist and murderous. Organized religion is casually dismissed. The heroes are hippy dopers and anti war radicals. The most sympathetic victims are illegal immigrants. (BTW, one effect of this movie was a forced reconsideration of my beliefs on how illegals should be treated in our country. The human value of a baby is present every bit as much in all people, including illegals. Guess what, the Catholic Church has it right again).
But the point of this movie, the importance of human life, cannot be missed (except maybe by MPR reviewers).
It is a terrific movie in a conventional sense too. Action, suspense, and one of the most thrilling, terrifying combat scenes I've ever seen. As this climactic scene unfolded to its beautiful crescendo, I kept thinking how perfect it was. One of the many layers of enjoyment in this movie is watching someone get 100% of the potential out of a scene and this director does it repeatedly. Alfonso Cuaron, you magnificent bastard director, you nailed it!
But especially in this climactic scene centering on a baby and the reactions to all around it, all of the noise and misdirection surrounding the abortion movement seemed quieted. The fog of feminist ideology, libertarian sophistry, the worship of reason, the most base human instincts. It all could be lifted with a simple truth. One so obvious, so intuitive. Each child is irreplaceable, sacred, and vital for our survival and happiness. By killing it, you are killing yourself. Stop.
Amid the tears being shed all around me at the theater, it brought hope that the scales could fall from the eyes of all the desperate, deceived people marching along, and recruiting others, to their mutual destruction. They would recognize the truth and they would stop. It could be that easy.
A few weeks out now since the movie's release and so far no sign of mass repentance. Turns out, one movie alone is not going to accomplish this change of national heart and will (especially with its box office gross so far and dearth of any significant award recognition). We have been reminded before we're going to need a little help this one. After that, it's going to have to be done the old fashioned way (cue Smith Barney commercial). Think, pray, see this movie, live right, work for change, get married, have more kids, etc., etc.
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