Film Reviews

Code 46

• Rating:
• Director:
• Starring: Essie Davis
• Details: UK/ 98 mins/ (no cert).

Michael Winterbottom turns his hand towards sci-fi with this atmospheric, teasing drama, which clicks on several levels but never really allows emotion to get the better of it. Set in the not-too-distant future, Robbins plays William, an investigator who is called to Shanghai to solve the mystery of fraudulent papers ('papelles' according to the curious language of Code 46). The investigation for what is a serious crime leads him straight to Marie Gonzalez (Morton). Despite being married with a young son, William falls for the wayward spirit, leading to him spending the night with her, and thus breaking this society's rules about unauthorised procreation. They separate the following morning, but some time later, William is asked to return to Shanghai to investigate the unauthorised usage of fake papelles, which have lead to a death.
The juxtaposition of a love story against the backdrop of a sterile environment is not a particularly original endeavour. But Michael Winterbottom is a skilled director, intelligent and precise, and the characters are given extra credibility by his decision not to coat them in melodramatic excess. That neither Robbins nor Morton are renowned for displaying a lot of emotion means that they, like the audience, feel their way into the enticing story. The result may be a sombre, rather grave morality trip, but it's one worth taking.

Review by Garreth Murphy