Code 46 | Tim Robbins, Togo Igawa | It's about more than emotion vs. science

Code 46 | Tim Robbins, Togo Igawa | intriguing

DVDs:

Code 46

	Code 46 Tim Robbins, Togo Igawa MGM (Video & DVD), 2004 average customer review:based on 59 reviews view larger image
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What if the person you desired most was the one person you were forbidden to love? OscarÂ(r) winner* Tim Robbins and OscarÂ(r) nominee** Samantha Morton "make a sexy and moving pair of desperadoes" (Entertainment Weekly) in this "provocative, quietly erotic" (Premiere)sci-fi thriller from the director of 24 Hour Party People. In the near future, privileged classes live and work "inside" cities, while non-citizens scratch out a miserable existence "outside" in a vast desert. People cannot leave their designated zones without special visas known as"papeles." When fraudulent papeles surface, Seattle investigator William Geld (Robbins) travels to Shanghai to ferret out the culprit and meets Maria Gonzalez (Morton) a woman with whom he has a passionate affair but breaks one of society's harshest laws: Code 46. *2003: Supporting Actor, Mystic River **2003: Actress, In America; 1999: Supporting Actress, Sweet and Lowdown

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It's about more than emotion vs. science

I saw this movie some years ago and liked it a lot. What I remember most about it is something that is not mentioned in the last ten or so reviews: that it is not only government that has taken away liberties in this dystopian world, but also, and critically, private corporations.

Every significant movement in this future is sanctioned by insurance companies ("do you have cover?"). If you don't have coverage (i.e. insurance coverage) for your trip to the grocery, you can't go. (the papelles were proof of cover). In this way, the people have signed away, contractually, a most basic civil liberty, privacy and the freedom to move about without being monitored.

Of course there's the sociological/scientific foundation or justification for this in the story, but what remained in my memory is how this apparently came to be in a western, essentially democratic world. That's what stuck with me in this movie and it's an important concept for people to be aware of. You have liberties. Don't just give them away for sake of convenience.

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intriguing

I really had no idea what to make of this film after seeing the trailer, but I thought the premise sounded intriguing.

For the first half hour or so, I was starting to wonder if an intriguing premise was all the film had. Just because it was sci-fi, I expected some action and excitement, but this film had more than that to offer. Although there was not a great chase scene or any gunfights (as Hollywood has led us to believe all good sci-fi movies should have), the film gave me a lot more to think about than any action-packed sci-fi film. And, if you really get into the film (as I did), there is some suspense towards the end.

I can't resist comparing it to Gattaca, in that it deals more with ethical situations in a futuristic world. Although it was a little slow in parts and the pairing of Robbins and Morton is a little unsettling, I loved this movie. The little details, like the way languages had converged, give the viewer something to think about during the slower parts of this brilliant film. Although the romantic pairing was awkward, I think both actors performed quite well in general. Also, the soundtrack complements the futuristic perfectly.

If you like to think, watch Code 46. If you're looking for a Will Smith style sci-fi blockbuster, keep looking.

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Mesmerising, bleak

This is a mesmering film, mainly because of the way it is shot, and the music. Yes, an ambient film, but that does it less justice than it deserves. Robbins is ok, wooden but that's his character, as the girl says at some point, he definitely risks having a good time.. and who are we to question their chemistry? This is a post-global warming world, bleak cityscapes, brilliantly filmed, and quite skilfully raises interesting and universal questions about relationships through the plot.. for example, why are people attracted to some particular people and not to others?? What strange mix produces instant recognition among strangers?? What do men see in women, and vice versa? Despite the plot issues which critical reviewers have pointed out, I am inclined to give this movie the benefit of the doubt, mainly because it is hard to forget. The only flaw is Samantha Morton's last line, which was totally unnecessary. Overall, a brilliant film. Perhaps not a GREAT film, but brilliant in the visual and auditory sense, combining just the right elements of raw realistic landscape with a sense of aesthetic elegance. Intense!!

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What was this movie trying to say?

This movie has very realistic, great-looking sets, good music, and accomplished actors. It is also rather plodding, relying on scenery to take the place of dialog, and meaningful looks to take the place of character development.

And the movie's message? To me it seemed to be that the government doesn't want you to have a baby with your sister, so it is illegal. Gotta say, if I interpreted that correctly, I'm gonna have to side with the government on this one.

Maybe codes 1-45 were more interesting. ;-)

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