Code 46

Set in an intemerminable future, Code 46 brings us the story of William Geld (Tim Robbins) and Maria Gonzales (Samantha Morton), two individuals who have a romance while Geld is in Shanghai investigating identity card fraud. This movie sets up the future unexpositionally, allowing the viewer to determine the world the two characters live in based on their actions, dialogue and interaction with other characters. It appears that Earth is suffering from over population and environmental destruction; living in a city requires the use of "cover", a permit that some people are given, while others are denied and forced to live on the "outside".

Gonzales works for the "Sphinx" creating permits for people to live within urban areas and for them to travel between countries. Geld is investigating the staff in Gonzales workplace for fraud. He knows that Gonzales is guilty, but does not turn her in.

Among the environmental problems (apparently the sun is so harmful that people work and live during night and sleep while the sun is up) and overpopulation, cloning and invitro fertilization have become popular methods of reproduction. As a result, it is legislated, under code 46, that individuals may not reproduce with another individual with more than 25% identical genetic information. People are regularly screened before they marry or have children, and a violation of code 46 is criminally punishable.

Code 46 presents its audience with an intelligent and layered science fiction film in the guise of a romance mystery. The chemistry between Robbins and Morton is electric, creating scenes that are so strong with sexual and romantic tension that they are difficult to watch. The dialogue in the film is almost poetic, with a colloquial combination of English, French, Spanish and Mandarin. I recommend this film to the same audience that would enjoy "Ever Since the World Ended", an audience that looks for narrative sensitivity, character driven plot and the intense thought that comes with well done science fiction.