See United 93. There's no jingoism or chest-thumping to drum up support for the War on Terrah. No beatification of the passengers or demonization of the hijackers. No (well, very little) righteous ass-kickery. It is, quite simply, a superbly effective dramatization of the events of 9-11.
It wouldn't surprise me at all if this was #1 at the box office this weekend. And for once, I would consider it merited. Is it "too soon" for a movie about 9-11? I honestly don't know. What I do know is that it will resonate with just about anyone over the age of ten, not as a call to arms or justification for American militarism, but as a painfully human story.
See United 93.
Feh.
Who needs a "movie...so good it strip[s] [away] all cynicism?"
What America REALLY wants is the review of the sure-to-be-hilarious RV, as we need the healing powers of a zany Robin Williams goin' gansta, and porta-john fecal geysers.
In these turbulent, troubled times, it's never too soon for such pure, sweet comedy gold.
"Is it 'too soon' for a movie about 9-11?"
That's a subjective question. For me, it is too soon. Maybe I'll see 93 in a few years, but not this year.
Wow....the movie was so good it stripped you of ALL cynicism.
Whoa there, let's not go nuts.
What America REALLY wants is the review of the sure-to-be-hilarious RV
You're in luck, as I have reviews of both films in the pipeline at FT.
It was probably too soon for the Jessica Lynch TV movie--didn't that come out just a couple of months after the rescue? But I'm looking forward to United 93. We've had time to reflect.
Movies have many purposes. They can entertain, and instruct, and lampoon, and editorialize. But, importantly, they also record the zeitgeist. Nothing preserves the sense of the times quite like a good movie.
It is never too soon for a movie about anything.
Coincidentally, construction began this morning on the Freedom Tower at Ground Zero.
There's no way I can watch this film right now....I even flip the channel when the trailer comes on. Still, your review makes it seem like this film is the right one to break through on this subject.
If I ever haul my shut-in ass to see a theater release, this will be the one, if nothing else than to (1) support the excellent work of Paul Greengrass and (2) to rebut the reactionary talking points of National Review types who HAVEN'T seen the movie.
I'm glad it's a good movie. But I can't go see it -- too soon for me. I go to NYC at least once a year and I still can't bear to go to lower Manhattan and not see the towers.
Your mileage may vary.
HWRNMNBSOL: too soon to make it or too soon to see it?
Jim: the former. The latter is a personal decision for everybody. Nobody should feel obliged to watch anything.
Conversely, nobody should ever feel that the times are not right for making a film, or writing a book, or staging a play. It is never too early to depict events, no matter how offended some might be.
Wow....the movie was so good it stripped you of ALL cynicism. That's shocking....I've never seen it before....