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Movie Reviews, & Film Industry Commentary
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2006 – PG-13 – 129 min.
Director: Oliver Stone
Primary Cast: Nicholas Cage, Michael Pena, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Maria Bello, Stephen Dorff, Jay Hernandez, Mike Shannon
Stars *** 1/2 (of 5)
Popcorn *** 1/2 (of 5)
Film Type(s): Drama, September 11th, Terrorism, Police, Firefighters, Family Tragedy
Synopsis: Rookie cop Will Jimeno (Pena) and Sargeant John McLoughlin (Cage) begin another day of work for the New York Port Authority. That day was September 11th, 2001. When the first plane hits the two towers, the Police and Fire Departments move into place to evacuate the buildings. But when the second plane hits, Jimeno, McLoughlin, and several other Policemen are trapped and mostly immobile in the rubble. Meanwhile, McLoughlin’s wife (Bello) comforts her family as best she can, even though her teenage children are in denial about their father’s missing status. Jimeno’s pregnant wife can only watch in horror as her family tries to hide every bit of bad news from her in fear of causing her to go into early labor, only causing her to worry more about her missing husband.
Review: Written and Directed by Oliver Stone, this film deals with the perspective of the first responders and their families on that awful day and in particular Officers John McLoughlin and Will Jimeno (played by Cage and Pena, respectively), who had the ominous distinction of being the last two survivors found in the wreckage of the two towers. As an interesting take, however, Stone chooses to also follow the wives of these men (Bello and Gyllenhaal) on that day. Their reactions are those of shock, horror, and grief, not knowing whether their husbands were even present at the towers, let alone survived their fall. Though we see the events of that day primarily through the eyes of these four characters, we also see it from the perspective of others around the country that wish to help as well. How you feel about this film will be dependent upon how you feel about the events of 9/11. The physical impacts of the planes are never seen in this film, only the resulting damage and emotional impact of people. We see the events as they unfolded that day, and watch these people struggle to understand what is happening without all of the facts that we now have in hindsight. Pena and Bello are particular standouts in this well cast film. They never appear to act, only react, to the events unfolding around them. All and all, an impressive effort on all fronts that sometimes skates heavy-handedness, but course corrects to remain at its emotional center.
Awards Likely: Oscar Nominations for Supporting Actor for Pena, Supporting Actress for Bello, and probably for Stone’s Script.
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