Of all the storytelling genres, sci-fi is often the most intelligent and thought-provoking. I'm not talking about all of the usual, big budget, special effects extravaganzas, but rather the works -- both in literary and cinematic form -- that actually have something to say about the human condition.
Such tales can be cautionary or optimistic, and the beauty is that they usually put a futuristic or otherworldly spin on current events or mindsets that temper or at least make their message seem less preachy and more entertaining. Sometimes, though, such messages become muddled via the inability to articulate such commentary, ideas and/or warnings.
"Code 46" would seem to be one such example. An original work, the film examines the confluence of societal freedoms (or lack thereof), governmental intrusion into society and personal lives and decisions, and the potential future effects of genetic engineering.
Throw in a detective story, some clairvoyance, and a love angle subplot, and the stage would seem to be set for an intriguing, thought-provoking and maybe even entertaining sci-fi ride. While it achieves some of the first two elements for a while, it never manages to snare the third. That leaves the effort feeling rather flat and the viewer likely disappointed, dejected and/or bored by the overall work.
There are plenty of compelling ideas at play, however, that somewhat heighten expectations early on. The title subject refers to a governmental ordinance that stems from test tube baby syndrome leading to too many citizens being genetically similar to each other.
As a result, those too close don't get to reproduce for fear of further tainting the gene pool. There's another bit about a virus that allows those "infected" with it to possess some sort of mind reading ability. That's used by a detective trying to figure out who's passing around specialized transport passes that provide entry and exit access to certain individuals, while others live in the apparently hostile and less desirable outside world (where an SPF of 500 might be a good idea).
The problem is that director Michael Winterbottom ("24 Hour Party People," "The Claim") and writer Frank Cottrell Boyce ("Hilary and Jackie," "Welcome to Sarajevo") just don't make all of it work whether independently or collectively. Some things aren't explained that well -- such as those special passes and what they allow or don't -- and others -- including the pivotal Code 46 elements -- just aren't that believable. I don't mean that in terms of concept, but rather execution and credibility within this movie's particular universe.
Winterbottom and his technical crew get the look right in a minimalist sort of way -- we feel that we've been dropped into the unspecified future -- and the script features an amalgamation of dialogue (obviously suggesting that we'll all mesh together -- at least in that sense -- over the pending years).
I just kept expecting and then hoping that it would all work better than it does. The film certainly features a fine cast, mainly in the form of the always reliable Tim Robbins ("Mystic River," "Arlington Road") and Samantha Morton ("In America," "Minority Report"). Unfortunately, they or at least their characters seem just as confused and/or uncertain as viewers will be as far as what's occurring.
While both are fine for what's offered them, I never really connected with either of their characters or their sudden, and I do mean sudden, love affair. It's all presumably supposed to be heartbreaking watching "the system" squash their romantic or at least sexually-induced longings.
Yet, since it doesn't always make sense, and considering the romance or even just lust feels far too rushed, and we're never really allowed to connect with or care about the characters or their plight, the film ends up feeling like a whole lotta nothing about something.
Throw in some completely unnecessary and hindsight-based, voice over narration from Morton's character and the result is an initially interesting but ultimately flat, boring and unsuccessful sci-fi offering. Who knows, maybe the never written or filmed Code 1 through Code 45 would have made for a better picture. Considering the likely response to "Code 46," I don't think we'll have to worry about any sort of prequel or sequel. It rates as just a 4 out of 10.
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