A 'breathtaking' Michael Caine thriller is now available to stream for free on the BBC, but fans have only a few weeks left to catch it. The film, directed by acclaimed Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuarón, is a cult classic that earned multiple Oscar nominations.
Alfonso Cuarón's Masterpiece
Cuarón, who has won four Academy Awards, began his career with the indie film Sólo con tu pareja in 1991. His first English-language film, A Little Princess, brought him to the attention of movie enthusiasts. After the success of his second small-scale film, he directed Ethan Hawke and Gwyneth Paltrow in an adaptation of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations before releasing his 2001 masterpiece Y tu mamá también.
While many filmmakers stick to dramas, Cuarón turned his attention to one of Hollywood's biggest franchises, delivering Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, which is considered a high point for the series. He brought a darker tone that fans of the novels had hoped for, setting a standard that the upcoming HBO reboot will aim to match.
Children of Men: A Dystopian Thriller
Cuarón's greatest achievement is arguably his groundbreaking 2006 dystopian action thriller Children of Men. Based on P.D. James' 1992 novel, the film is set in 2027, where two decades of human infertility have pushed society to the brink of collapse. The story follows asylum seekers in the United Kingdom, who face detention and deportation by the government. Coventry-born Clive Owen stars as Theo Faron, a man who bravely tries to help refugee Kee escape the chaos.
Michael Caine, the two-time Oscar winner, steals the show as Jasper Palmer, Theo's friend and a former political cartoonist. Caine based his performance on his experiences with John Lennon, delivering one of his most underrated roles. The star-studded cast also includes Julianne Moore, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Pam Ferris, and Charlie Hunnam.
Critical Acclaim and Box Office
Children of Men holds a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 252 critics. Despite its critical success, Universal Pictures gave the film limited promotion due to its complex story, and it grossed only $70.5 million against a $76 million budget. However, it gained momentum after receiving Oscar nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Film Editing.
Speaking to ComingSoon.net, Cuarón said: 'I tried to make an observation rather than to give a statement. Ideally I want audiences to come out with their own conclusions. I stopped believing in movies that end when the lights come on, in which you give your statement and the lights come on. Now I believe in the movies that start when the lights come on, in which you present a statement of things and allow audiences to make their own conclusions.'
Children of Men is available to stream now for free on BBC iPlayer until Tuesday, July 14.
