SSCMSMIT

The first time i saw this i enjoyed it, but did not appreciate the depth of it until a 2nd or 3rd viewing. Essentially the film is about the dying spirit of humanity, in a world in which people are defined by a statistic. Ethan Hawkes character (Vincent) is a man amongst automatons, one of the last of a dying breed in a relentlessly scientific dystopia. Cleverly, those such as Vincent who are born without the aid of genetic modifications are called 'godchilds'; for it is essentially a belief in something more than genetics which precedes their existence. The film skillfully balances a number of themes such as faith, friendship and a emotionally resonant picture of a possible future. As a viewer you share in Vincents dream in the same way Jude Laws character does and yearn for his escape to the uncertainty of space in which nothing is predetermined.

The acting is of a high standard amongst the entire cast but it is Jude Law who excels in his portrayal of the tragic Eugene, he perfectly balances the superiority complex of his character while remaining likable and a subject of pity. The musical score perfectly captures the ambiance of the of the environment while soulfully embracing Vincents hopes and the heart of his humanity. The sets and cinematography are excellent. The writing and original concept are what is truly worth watching the film for.

I recommend most highly especially to the patient intelligent viewer. 9/10!

Ok i admit i'm not the most objective in that i think a superfluous amount of gangster/crime movies have been made. However i can recognise the inherent qualities of godfather 1+2, scarface and goodfellers, qualities that are in no way present in this film. The biggest problem is the lack of a coherent plot and as far as i can tell the ending is pretty meaningless. The time jump toward the end (Where James Woods and Deniro's characters are old with the worst make up ever to illustrate this fact)led me to a conclusion that is out of touch with the direction the movie was originally going. A twist in a movie is fine but it must make some semblance of sense within the parameters set my the intro and middle of a movie.

I was not drawn in by the characters or the plot which inevitably leaves a viewer bored. AVOID THIS FILM AND SPEND THREE HOURS TRAINSPOTTING OR SOMETHING! - 3/10