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World Trade Center: Solid as Stone
When the trailer for Oliver Stone’s World Trade Center came out three months ago, I wrote,”It looks like the sort of gooey sentiment that Paul Greengrass’ United 93 avoided. After Greengrass’ triumph, I just can’t fathom how Stone can measure up.”
I was wrong.
World Trade Center is the second great 9/11 movie, and one of this year’s very best.
Stone’;s film is more conventional in its storytelling than Greengrass’ hard-hitting “fly on the wall” style, making World Trade Center the 9/11 movie most audiences will find easier to take. It’s not unlike Apollo 13.
Does this make World Trade Center less moving than its predecessor? Absolutely not. In its own very different way, Stone’s movie is equally unforgettable in telling the true story of Port Authority police Officers John McLoughlin (Nicolas Cage) and Will Jimeno (Michael Pena), who were buried alive when the towers crashed down on them.
Much has been made of how World Trade Center doesn’t seem like an Oliver Stone film. He makes no political statements, and he stays away from the “acid trip” imagery that has marked most of his recent work.
However, people forget that no matter what style he uses, Stone is one of our most effective visual storytellers when he remembers to get out of his own way. By avoiding ham-fisted speechifying and sensory overkill, the director makes World Trade Center linger in the memory in simple and direct ways. Here, Stone assumes the role of the Hollywood professional, as William Wyler and Fred Zinneman did when they made their classic World War II movies, The Best Years of Our Lives and From Here to Eternity.
When focusing on the officers, Stone wisely sticks to their point of view. They - and we - never see the planes crash into the buildings, and the chaos unfolds only gradually, as the officers see a bloodied face here, or a falling body there. We also never see the towers fall, but we and the officers certainly hear them. Stone’s use of sound and tight close-ups makes these scenes harrowing as the officers struggle to keep themselves alert - and alive.
Strong acting across the board heightens the movie’s power. Cage and Pena’s performances are especially impressive, considering they have to do most of their acting with only their faces. Maria Bello and Maggie Gyllenhaal are moving as the officers’ wives, and Michael Shannon is unforgettable as Dave Karnes, the ex-Marine who took it upon himself to search for survivors. Kudos must also go to screenwriter Andrea Berloff for her sensitive treatment of this inspiring story.
When I asked on Monday if readers would be interested in seeing this movie, I was taken aback by the negative reactions. This movie is in no way a crass attempt by Hollywood to profit from a tragedy.
Yes, every movie needs to make money, but I do not believe that was foremost in the minds of anyone who made this picture. World Trade Center means to honor the victims and their rescuers, who were sometimes one and the same. Because the movie does this so well, I hope people give it a try.
I personally prefer United 93’s more visceral approach, and I could quibble with a moment or two in World Trade Center when the dialogue gets sappy or the score lays it on too thick. However, any comparisons and concerns fade in the face of this movie’s larger achievement.
When one survivor tells a loved one, “You kept me alive,” the moment is searing and beautiful. In those four words, this film recalls the feelings of unity and pride that ought to be the legacy of that day. Unfortunately, the intervening five years have sometimes buried those feelings. World Trade Center reminds us to hang on to them.
GRADE: A+
Permalink | Comments (6) | Categories: Reviews
Comments
By Mandy
August 12, 2006 10:17 PM | Link to this
Eric, I saw this film tonight (Saturday) and absolutely loved it. It was a perfect amount of emotion, speed, and even had the element of suspense which I did not expect,knowing the outcome and all. I recommend it to everyone. I wish I had seen it later because the crowded theater included too much distraction for a film that kept me wanting to be focused solely on it.By Hillary
August 11, 2006 2:16 AM | Link to this
I saw it Wednesday night. The theatre was fairly empty but by the end there was hardly a dry eye in the place. Nobody got up right away and on the way out I took note of one couple standing in an embrace at their seats. Nearly every couple that was there (and there were a number) held hands as they walked out sniffling. I found it moving and while very sad, very good nonetheless.By MisterG
August 10, 2006 4:18 PM | Link to this
Eric is absolutely correct. Despite the sadness of the event, and the horror of these two men’s experience (not to mention their wives and families), the audience cannot help but feel somehow cleansed and reinvigorated when all is said and done. A superb film, executed with impeccable taste and craft. Easily one of the best movies I’ve seen this year, even beyond the synchronicity of having just seen Cage in “Lord of War” on DVD. “World Trade Center” deserves to be a massive hit, without question.By SRCputt
August 9, 2006 2:00 PM | Link to this
I felt priviledged to learn the stories of the McLouglins and the Jemenos. Words cannot express how I felt during the movie. It is truly one of the most emotional experiences I’ve had in the theater, and will in my opinion go down as one of the best films of 2006.By Sir Critic
August 9, 2006 10:48 AM | Link to this
To ME and others reluctant to see WTC: I would never condemn the decision of anyone who chooses not to see this movie, because people have very different, and very personal responses to 9-11. While I respect those decisions, I find it sad that some of us choose to duck those emotions. I feel we SHOULD be reminded of what happened that day. Granted, some people don’t need a movie to remember 9/11, but I hope that those who choose to see World Trade Center will come out feeling better than they did coming in. I know I did.By me
August 9, 2006 9:55 AM | Link to this
What do you tell those of us who will not see this movie? I don’t want to see it. It’s not something I want to re-live at any time.