By David Weiner
11:52 AM PST, December 29, 2011
Carefully and methodically, Hollywood continues to test the post-9/11 waters with films about the 2001 tragedy, whether directly or indirectly. The arrival of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close embodies our continuing efforts to understand and recreate the fateful events of that September day, explore the ripple effects on those affected by the disaster – and, for some, arguably exploit the incident for dramatic effect. We break down some of the more notable 9/11 films…
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Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (2011)
Warner Bros.
Based on the acclaimed novel, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close tells the story of a young boy (newcomer Thomas Horn ) who embarks on a journey of discovery through New York after losing his father (Tom Hanks) in the World Trade Center. Hanks tells ET, "In a lot of ways you can say that this movie was 10 years in the making because it deals with the individual details of what was probably the most serious day in all of our lives. Part of the test that this screenplay had to pass was whether or not it held up, and just the verisimilitude on one hand, but also does it have the weight to warrant the movie being made in the first place? And I felt that it did." Co-star Sandra Bullock adds, "If the story moves you in the right way, it moves you in the most honorable and respectful way. And I think [director] Stephen Daldry did the most beautiful job translating this already amazing book into something that I don't think has ever been done before."
Remember Me (2010)
Summit Entertainment
How did this arguably lackluster movie about romance, respect and relationships manage to make the list? If you can reach the finale of this tale starring Robert Pattinson as a young man finding love (with Emilie De Ravin) and struggling to win the respect of his father (Pierce Brosnan), **SPOILER ALERT!** the kicker ending has him waiting for his dad at the top of the World Trade Center – on September 11. Some may consider the plot revelation to be an emotional and poignant one, that an everyday character's life would end tragically as so many others' did on that fateful day. But many critics found the "twist" ending to be contrived and exploitative of the seriousness of the event.
Reign Over Me (2007)
Sony Pictures
One of Adam Sandler's rare forays into serious acting has the star playing a broken man who lost his family in the September 11 attack on New York City. Five years later, he's a shadow of his former self, but a chance meeting with his old college roommate (Don Cheadle) allows the two to rekindle their friendship and let Sandler's character displace his painful memories. The film was received somewhat favorably, but some accused it of using the September 11 tragedy simply as a plot device. It was not a breakout hit.
United 93 (2006)
Universal Home Entertainment
The Bourne series director Paul Greengrass' intense United 93 pieces together the incredible moments of that fateful day when terrorists took over Flight 93 and ordinary, everyday passengers risked their lives to rise up against them. Because we all know what fate befalls the heroic passengers of that plane, the film's slow-burn build-up lights the fuse to an inevitable conclusion that delivers a truly intense and emotional punch. This one's arguably the best of the 9/11 films.
World Trade Center (2006)
Paramount
When it was announced that Oliver Stone would tackle 9/11 on the big screen, most expected a Fahrenheit 9/11-style expose filled with combustible content and conspiracy theories. Instead, Stone delivered a straightforward, heartfelt movie about selfless rescuers and disaster survivors: Nicolas Cage and Michael Pena play two Port Authority police officers who respond to the disaster and become trapped in the rubble of the collapsed Manhattan buildings; Maria Bello and Maggie Gyllenhaal are the wives holding their breath, waiting to hear if their loved ones made it out alive. Ultimately, the film is more of a time capsule of the actual disaster, devoid of politics and terrorist intents.
Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)
Miramax Films
Facing the question of "how soon is too soon," incendiary documentary filmmaker Michael Moore was the first out of the gate with 2004's Fahrenheit 9/11, exploring the myriad events that led up to that indelible fall day and the subsequent war in Iraq, drawing a direct link between President George Bush and Osama bin Laden's family using oil interests as the connective pipeline. The film touched off a major debate about the authenticity of some of its claims, yet earned approximately $220 million worldwide, an unprecedented amount for a documentary.
An 'Incredibly Close' Look at Sept. 11 Movies
Warner Bros.
Carefully and methodically, Hollywood continues to test the post-9/11 waters with films about the 2001 tragedy, whether directly or indirectly. The arrival of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close embodies our continuing efforts to understand and recreate the fateful events of that September day, explore the ripple effects on those affected by the disaster – and, for some, arguably exploit the incident for dramatic effect. We break down some of the more notable 9/11 films…