Review of Code 46 (2003) by Walter M — 26 Jul 2005

[font=Century Gothic]"Code 46" takes place in the near future as William Geld(Tim Robbins) is in Shanghai investigating insurance fraud, more specifically the distribution of fake cover(ID's). This has been traced back to the manufacturing plant. The counterfeiter is Maria Gonzalez(Samantha Morton). (Her motives are as much out of kindness as much as they are monetary.) William knowlingly falsely identifies another suspect to the factory boss and initiates an affair with Maria. [/font].

[font=Century Gothic]"Code 46"'s strength is in it how pictures the future. It is neither utopia nor dystopia. Michael Winterbottom, on a very limited budget, uses the locations of rarely used Shanghai and other locations to their best. The technology is up a notch but nothing that is not within reach. And it helps that there are still some familiar items around to ground us. Movement is restricted between countries and cities by the use of cover. The theme of this movie is that no matter how much we may dislike government restrictions, they are in place for a reason. [/font].

[font=Century Gothic]"Code 46" tells the tale of a romance in a low-key way. Samantha Morton is excellent as always but Tim Robbins' character remains something of a cipher. And it is always nice to see Om Puri in anything.[/font].