From the ads on TV you might think that this movie is about 9/1/1. I think it's more of a movie about a child finding himself and finding his father and mother. Oskar Schell (Thomas Horn) "loses" his father in the Twin Tower tragedy and is devastated as he listens to his father's voice on the answering machine on what Oskar calls the "most horrible day."
When he eventually looks through his father's stuff he finds a mysterious key and sets out to find the lock that this key opens. In doing this he encounters all sorts of individuals and they minister to this reluctant boy and he "records" their visits on his psyche and on a camera inherited from his father. As his search continues he enlists the help of an aged boarder who lives with his grandmother (Zoe Caldwell). Max von Sydow plays this mute character who ends up having a key link with Oskar's father (Tom Hanks). This character helps Oskar deal with some of his fears--especially his fears of public transportation and enclosed places...obvious reactions to the 9/1/1/ tragedy.
Oskar is also very angry with his mother (Sandra Bullock) who desperately tries to allow her son to grieve and search and question. As Oskar tries to connect with his father he ends up connecting with her.
What Oskar eventually "finds" with the key is not what you expect. The movie is straightforward and sober and reflective with just enough humor to make you smile from time to time. The movie draws you in and you just can't stop watching. If and when it is shown on TV I suspect that commercial and station breaks will ruin the rhythm.
At the end of the movie everyone in the theater just sat there for a while. You couldn't really stay but you just weren't ready to leave. Oskar and the rest of the survivors would be OK and you will be OK too. However, you will be changed forever! That's what such tragedies do.
No comments:
Post a Comment