Dans les années 2070, dans la citadelle de Libria, les émotions n'existent plus, supprimées par l'absorption quotidienne de Prozium. Cette drogue anti-anxiété rend les gens plus heureux et plus productifs. Les individus ont ainsi accepté de mettre de côté leur liberté pour vivre en harmonie avec leur dirigeant spirituel connu sous le nom de Père. Les personnes qui refusent de prendre leur dose sont considérées comme des rebelles et vivent en retrait de la ville. S'ils sont pris à jeun, c'est la peine de mort assurée.
John Preston travaille au service de Père et applique la loi à la lettre. Un jour, celui-ci brise le flacon de sa dose et n'a pas le temps de s'en procurer une de rechange. Il est alors submergé par toute une gamme d'émotions. Victime d'un revirement spirituel qui le confronte à ses supérieurs hiérarchiques, il mène l'enquête sur ce nouvel état de vie.
Réalisé par Kurt Wimmer
Avec: Christian Bale, Emily Watson, Taye Diggs Film Américain. Genre: Science Fiction Durée 1h47 // Année de production: 2002
J'ai trouvé sur imdb.com une critique qui correspond plutôt bien à ce que je pense de ce film :
I know it's stupid to believe that a futuristic society is dumb enough to believe that the mere existence paintings, poems and sculptures can somehow lead to WW4. I know there's a statue as well as stylish architecture in the headquarters of the people who ban artwork. I know it's stupid to assume that a culture based on taking a drug every morning is not a very secure or feasible idea. I know it makes no sense for a culture with no emotions to still be able to fall in love, choose a spouse and desire sex to create children. I know half the people that Preston attacks are just standing there doing nothing while they wait to get their ass kicked. I know the sets look cheap. I know it's stupid that the "police" seem to die because their helmet glass breaks, when they'd probably be smart enough to have shatter-proof, if not bullet-proof plexiglass in the first place. I know there's no reason random citizens would sit in a square to watch a guy on a big screen giving a speech, re-enforcing what the characters already know. I know it paints a stupid picture of characters with emotion as looking like long-haired Gothic slobs who do nothing but sit in rooms with paintings and LP records and poetry books all day. I know the emotionless characters express emotions and crack facial expressions when they're probably not supposed to. I know Gun-Fu doesn't make much sense as to its practicality. I know this film is an inspired rip-off of "Fahrenheit 451", "1984", "THX-1138", "Brazil", and "Blade Runner".
................But I love it. Like it
Although it's a mish mash of every "man vs. futuristic oppressive society" film ever made, it manages to pull it off as good as some of its inspirations. The film's story and message is clear. The action is fresh, original, readable and gets the adrenaline flowing. The atmosphere is clearly defined. The production design is inspired. Christian Bale and Emily Watson areWilliam Fichtner is superb. The ending is satisfying.
Même si dans le genre, je préfère de loin Das Leben der Anderen
