‘Soylent Green’ (1973)

Once again, it’s another instalment in the ongoing series where I try and make my way through all the old sci-fi films that I’ve never watched but have been assured are classics of the genre. Are they though? Are they really…? Well, that what these posts are for :o) 

I’m as guilty as the next person of getting all enthusiastic over my favourite books and films but when you’re faced with something that has built up that reputation over a number of years, you can’t help but go into it thinking that the hype has to be justified on one level or another. That was certainly the case here with ‘Soylent Green’, a film that I’ve never seen but already knew the ending because of how it has ended up as a great example of ‘a twist in the tale’ (in popular culture). And that reminds me, I’m going to try and not be too spoilery here but am working on the fairly reasonable assumption that I’m the last person to see this film (I usually am) and that everyone already knows the big reveal at the end. If you haven’t then you might just want to consider stopping reading right here and pick it up again after you’ve seen ‘Soylent Green’, it’s worth the watch.

It’s the year 2022 and  the cumulative effects of overpopulation and climate catastrophe have caused severe worldwide shortages of food, water and housing. There are 40 million people in New York City alone, where only the city's elite can afford spacious apartments, clean water, and natural food, and even then at inflated prices. Food riots are a fact of life, especially with the popular foodstuff ‘Soylent Green’ in short supply. One of the city’s elite has just been murdered, in his apartment, and Detective Thorne has to put a two year backlog, of cases, to one side so he can close the case quickly. It’s a case that will lead him deep into an overcrowded city and a shocking secret at its core…

'Soylent Green’ is a bit of an odd film to watch because the ending is spoiled before you even start. Soylent Green is… yep, we already know and that renders the police procedural side of things a little pointless in a way. We know where it’s going so while the journey is one that you have to make, you almost feel like just skipping to the end of the film so you see Charlton Heston losing his shit and yelling lots. All you can really say is that the ending must have made an impact on cinema goers at the time.

It’s not a total loss though as  the police procedural stuff does come with nice bursts of action, here and there, that perk things up at just the right time. Not only that though, ‘Soylent Green’ is a very honest look at how our world would look after overpopulation has ravaged resources. It makes for bleak viewing but it’s meant to and it does it’s job very well with everything looking washed out and used, if it isn’t hidden behind a mass of bodies that is. What really brings the world’s plight to the fore though (apart from the secret of Soylent Green itself) is how Detective Thorne moves through it, blatantly raiding the apartment, of the dead Simonsen, for luxuries to make his own life (and that of Roth) slightly more bearable, including making full use of the ‘furniture’ (which is horrible but needs must in this world, especially for Shirl). What’s particularly heart breaking though is seeing Roth slowly become more disillusioned with the world, to the point where he visits a Euthanasia Centre; a move which ultimately leads Thorne to make his discovery. Those moments where Roth and Thorne are shown the Earth of the past (an Earth that Thorne has never seen) made me tear up a little, I’m not going to lie.

There’s still just enough impact, in those final moments, to make ‘Soylent Green’ a classic but also more than enough impact in those ‘everyday’ moments that kind of make you wonder if this is where we’re ultimately headed. I hope not. It’s the relationship between Thorne and Roth (putting up with each other and then Thorne realising that he can’t let Roth go, too late…) that really made ‘Soylent Green’ worth sticking with for me. Any recommendations for old sci-fi movies to watch next?