Based on the novel by Jonathan Safran Foer, directed by Stephen Daldry (The Reader, Billy Elliot), this drama tells the story of a young boy's journey after his father's death in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Stars Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock.
11-year-old Oskar Schell (newcomer Thomas Horn): academic, amateur inventor, vegan, pacifist. After finding a mysterious key that belonged to his dad (Hanks), who died in the World Trade Center attack, he embarks on a secret search of New York's five boroughs for the lock-box the key will open.
Despite it being more than a decade since 9/11, this is the first Hollywood film, bar Adam Sandler’s little-seen Reign Over Me and The Dixie Chicks' Shut Up and Sing documentary, to deal with the emotional fallout from that fateful day. And with a skilled line-up that includes Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot, The Reader) barking the orders, veteran screenwriter Roth and a star-studded cast that includes Hanks, Bullock and an excellent Von Sydow this should have been an compelling and emotional drama that was awards-ceremony bait.
Yet, apart from some late love from a more famous Oscar, it’s been largely ignored. It’s not an unmitigated disaster by any means but a glacial pace and characters that are hard to, as the Americans say “root for”, leave you feeling underwhelmed rather than emotionally overcome.
Having said that, Roth and Daldry do a good job with the fractured narrative, slowly revealing the personal horror of what Oskar heard and saw that day, while Alexandre Desplat’s (The King’s Speech) score adds emotional heft that’s at least a bit more subtle than the ending which lays the schmaltz on with a trowl. Like its young protagonist, Extremely Close is a film that’s hard to get a handle on, veering from Amelie-esque whimsy to The Hours-like maudlin.
By James Croot, Flicks.co.nz
extract from theaterofthecommonman.com I'm not sure of exactly what it was I was hoping for going into today's film, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. As sad as it may seem, I guess I wanted to go back to the feelings of hurt and anger I experienced an in 2001. To an extent I did, but not in the way you might think. Nine year old, Oscar Schell (Thomas Horn) loses his father Thomas Schell (Tom Hanks) in the World Trade Centre on what Oscar has come to call the "worst day". After a year lost in grief, Oscar decides to enter his father wardrobe for the first time. Left as a shrine by his mother, Linda Schell (Sandra Bullock), Oscar is able to find a camera he and Thomas had used on one of their many scavenger hunts together. Whilst reaching for the camera he accidently bumps a vase down, smashing it to the ground. Inside is a small envelope, inside the envelope is a key, within the key lies the mystery. Young Thomas Horn is an enigma on screen until you know his real story. A non-actor, scouted by director Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot), Thomas was found on TV game the show Jeopardy. Asked to audition, Thomas was able to convince Daldry he was the boy for the role, an extremely challenging role I might add. It took me about 45mins to figure out where he was taking Oscar, most of that time I found him quite irritating; in fact I wanted to throttle him. Little did I realise the exceptional ride he was taking us on. All said and done Thomas was outstanding in his moving, heartfelt portrayal of a little boy yearning to stay connected to his adored father. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close was very much deserving of its Oscar nomination. From beginning to end I was moved by the harrowing tale of loss and joyful yet mournful journey all of its characters share. Its tangled plot pulls us in every which way, yet rewards our persistence with sublime acting, beautiful scripting, and resounding photography. I think some who subscribe to the school of film snobbery were all too quick to overlook the film's sincere intelligence. Me, well I got exactly what I wanted.
An appalling adaptation.
This plot is contrivance and folderol.
Rapidly becomes tiresome.
It's challenging, divisive and has moments of beauty but leaves you cold.
An affecting, well acted tale of 9/11 trauma.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 23rd Feb 2012.
Release date: February 23rd 2012.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
