It's impossible to discuss the sophisticated political message of this film without seriously spoiling important plot twists, so a big SPOILER ALERT! for those who haven't seen the movie yet. On the other hand, since many people actually loved the film far more on the second viewing, it could be argued that knowing the twists actually enhances the experience, instead of spoiling it. This is definitely the case with the character of Luke (Chiwetel Ejiofor), the black rebel leader, a uni-dimensional, simplistic cliché of a character on the first viewing, who turns into a complex, macchavellian, and very nuanced villain on the second viewing. The big twist in the story (which actually comes in the middle of the film) is truly powerful. It will probably resonate stronger with former leftists than with anybody else. It's an Orwell-in-Catalonia, Hitchens-on-9/11 moment when we realize that the real villain in the story isn't the fascistic government that oppresses illegal immigrants, but the rebel movement which has just purged itself of its moderate leadership - the murder of Julian (Julianne Moore) right in front of us being a defining Trotsky's-skull-split-open-with-an-ax moment, whose true significance we only realize later on. Many viewers, especially leftist ones (or ''still-leftists'', if you will), will probably argue that the government is actually just as bad (if not worse) than the rebels, who are merely reacting to the profound injustice around them. That might well be true, but is totally irrelevant. The issue is the degree of disappointment. We never expect anything good from the government - they're evil Nazis after all - so when the soldiers lower their arms in the climatic scene near the end, and let Theo (Clive Owen) and Kee (Claire-Hope Ashitey) pass unharmed, that gesture is both noble and unexpected, whereas every time the rebels appear, even their refusal to shoot directly at the fugitives makes them look cold and calculating, rather than compassionate. After all, the rebels were supposed to be our saviours, our hope, and that betrayal of our trust makes them evil in the worst sense of that word. The film was directed by Mexican filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron (''A Little Princess'', ''Y tu mama tambien'', ''Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban'') and its political message closely reflects the political polarization of his own country, where the only alternative to a mean right-wing government (closely allied with an anti-immigrant right-wing government in United States) is an insanely radical, Marxist opposition (closely allied with Hugo Chavez's movement). Whether the character of Luke is actually meant to represent Chavez is quite debatable (Luke is much saner than Chavez), but Cuaron's larger political message - a passionate protest against all radicalisms - on the right and on the left - is crystal clear. And stylistically, ''Children of Men'' is a masterwork, with unforgettable cinematography, outstanding art direction and memorable performances.
