I have difficulty connecting with some futuristic stories set in dystopian worlds because I can't picture how things could realistically get to that point. This one introduces an unexpected, almost accidental, Oedipal twist into the story. “Geld” (Tim Robbins) is an investigator who pursues those involved in creating fraudulent travel papers—a surprisingly lucrative business in a world where movement is strictly controlled by the government organization called “Sphinx.” His latest assignment leads him to Shanghai, where he meets “Maria” (Samantha Morton), and quickly figures out she's responsible for the forgery operation. However, he finds himself drawn to her and spends twenty-four hours participating in activities he might not want to discuss with his wife later. He returns home, only to have his boss question his failure and immediately send him back on another mission. Was that his intention all along—to be reassigned? When he tries to locate “Maria” again, he learns she’s had her memories erased after supposedly violating “Code 46.” He also discovers she's not who he initially thought she was, and that genetics don't always mix as easily as one might assume. Ultimately, it feels like a strange variation on a romantic narrative, with Robbins portraying a character still searching for some sense of humanity within an increasingly controlled and regulated existence. Morton is also good, conveying a certain fragility as her character exists outside the boundaries of a society that unfairly judges people. The plot attempts to blend scientific ideas with emotional struggles, but this is where it falters. It lacks the strength needed to succeed without resorting to compromises that I felt ultimately weakened the film, and it definitely feels longer than its ninety-minute runtime. There are moments of connection between them, and I liked the basic idea, but the overly complex and slow pacing left me feeling let down, unfortunately.

Source on TMDB