Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Starring: Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Thomas Horn, Viola Davis, Max Von Sydow
Rating: PG-13
Content Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Oskar Schell (Thomas Horn) is not your average Elementary age boy. There is a special quality about him. He has a brilliant mind, one that craves knowledge and adventure. His father, Thomas, (Tom Hanks) encourages his son’s mental development. The two of them have devised a game, one that they play throughout the streets and boroughs of New York City. Simple things like swings frighten Oskar but the thrill of the chase does not. “After all, if things were easy to find, they wouldn't be worth finding” is the philosophy that his father has instilled in them. Oskar’s mother (Sandra Bullock) watches all of this play out, recognizing the precious bond between father and son. Yet a day called September 11th gets in their way. For some reason, Thomas was in the 105th floor of the World Trade Center and he never made it home.
Like any young child, Oskar is devastated. Indeed, he doesn’t know what to do with himself or how to handle in his grief. Inflicting pain upon himself brings no release nor does it bring Thomas back. Oskar, seeking some tangible memory of his father, goes into the closet and explores amongst his father’s shirts and ties. Knocking down a blue bottle, Oskar discovers a key. What the key leads to Oskar does not know but he is determined to find the truth. His only clue is the word “Black” written on the envelope which had held the key. Believing that his is yet another scavenger hunt meant for him, Oskar goes to all of the New York City boroughs and speaks to all people with the name of “Black.” Surely one of them knew his father.
Along the way, Oskar meets people like Abby Black (Viola Davis) and a nameless, mute stranger (Max von Sydow). These people hold a completely different key than the one Oskar believed they were after. It is in the search to feel closer to his father once more that Oskar discovers things about himself he never knew before. Oskar also learns that just because people aren’t in our constant sight that they aren’t incredibly close.
When I first saw the trailer for this movie, I was intrigued. For some reason, I gravitate to heart tugging, deep in thought movies. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is exactly that. Immediately the thing one notices when watching this film is the acting jobs of everyone involved with this film. Thomas Horn is a newbie; indeed, this is his first film, but one never would have known. He plays Oskar perfectly, showing every emotion that a young boy devastated by his 9/11 loss quite realistically. Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock are practically supporting roles—Oskar is the driver of this vehicle—but they make the most of the scenes they are in. Sandra Bullock is slightly underused, considering this was her first job back from “The Blind Side,” which is something I would have preferred not to have happened. Viola Davis is fantastic in her bit parts, but Max Von Sydow also steals the show. His character’s story adds an interesting byline to Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, but I would have liked it to have been expanded on even more.
There are not any sexual elements in this film. Language is relatively minor, although some abuses of God’s name pepper the script. There is one scene where Oskar and the Doorman (played by John Goodman) sound like they are using the “f” word, but they are not. Violence, however, is a constant haze over the film. After all, it takes place in the shadow of 9/11. Oskar has nightmares of his father being one of the “jumpers” from the building. Oskar also pinches himself repeatedly until he draws blood. He often launches into a temper when he is upset, but I have to admit, I believe I would have done the same thing.
There is a hopeful message found at the end of the film. In many ways, the viewer can feel as if they have gone full circle with Oskar by the time the credits roll. It is not a feel good film, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth seeing at least once.
Starring: Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Thomas Horn, Viola Davis, Max Von Sydow
Rating: PG-13
Content Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Oskar Schell (Thomas Horn) is not your average Elementary age boy. There is a special quality about him. He has a brilliant mind, one that craves knowledge and adventure. His father, Thomas, (Tom Hanks) encourages his son’s mental development. The two of them have devised a game, one that they play throughout the streets and boroughs of New York City. Simple things like swings frighten Oskar but the thrill of the chase does not. “After all, if things were easy to find, they wouldn't be worth finding” is the philosophy that his father has instilled in them. Oskar’s mother (Sandra Bullock) watches all of this play out, recognizing the precious bond between father and son. Yet a day called September 11th gets in their way. For some reason, Thomas was in the 105th floor of the World Trade Center and he never made it home.
Like any young child, Oskar is devastated. Indeed, he doesn’t know what to do with himself or how to handle in his grief. Inflicting pain upon himself brings no release nor does it bring Thomas back. Oskar, seeking some tangible memory of his father, goes into the closet and explores amongst his father’s shirts and ties. Knocking down a blue bottle, Oskar discovers a key. What the key leads to Oskar does not know but he is determined to find the truth. His only clue is the word “Black” written on the envelope which had held the key. Believing that his is yet another scavenger hunt meant for him, Oskar goes to all of the New York City boroughs and speaks to all people with the name of “Black.” Surely one of them knew his father.
Along the way, Oskar meets people like Abby Black (Viola Davis) and a nameless, mute stranger (Max von Sydow). These people hold a completely different key than the one Oskar believed they were after. It is in the search to feel closer to his father once more that Oskar discovers things about himself he never knew before. Oskar also learns that just because people aren’t in our constant sight that they aren’t incredibly close.
When I first saw the trailer for this movie, I was intrigued. For some reason, I gravitate to heart tugging, deep in thought movies. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is exactly that. Immediately the thing one notices when watching this film is the acting jobs of everyone involved with this film. Thomas Horn is a newbie; indeed, this is his first film, but one never would have known. He plays Oskar perfectly, showing every emotion that a young boy devastated by his 9/11 loss quite realistically. Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock are practically supporting roles—Oskar is the driver of this vehicle—but they make the most of the scenes they are in. Sandra Bullock is slightly underused, considering this was her first job back from “The Blind Side,” which is something I would have preferred not to have happened. Viola Davis is fantastic in her bit parts, but Max Von Sydow also steals the show. His character’s story adds an interesting byline to Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, but I would have liked it to have been expanded on even more.
There are not any sexual elements in this film. Language is relatively minor, although some abuses of God’s name pepper the script. There is one scene where Oskar and the Doorman (played by John Goodman) sound like they are using the “f” word, but they are not. Violence, however, is a constant haze over the film. After all, it takes place in the shadow of 9/11. Oskar has nightmares of his father being one of the “jumpers” from the building. Oskar also pinches himself repeatedly until he draws blood. He often launches into a temper when he is upset, but I have to admit, I believe I would have done the same thing.
There is a hopeful message found at the end of the film. In many ways, the viewer can feel as if they have gone full circle with Oskar by the time the credits roll. It is not a feel good film, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth seeing at least once.
3 comments:
Sounds like an interesting film.
This was a touching, heart-tugging movie. I enjoyed going to see it with you. Thanks for treating me!!
Love,
Mom
I've wondered about this one - mainly because it stars one of my favorite actresses. Not a big fan of Hanks though... still, I may rent it. =)
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