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UNITED 93 Paul Greengrass Starring Lewis Alsamari JJ Johnson Trish Gates Polly Adams This is a little delicate, I almost turned down this screening because I don't want to fall out of favour with my readers. From the trailers I knew I wouldn't like United 93. The fact that I read every account and listen to all opinions leads me to believe that I doubt the truth of any of this. As a Briton, I'm an outsider to the events of September 2001. As a Briton, I don't get teary eyed at the mention of the lives lost during that period - I'm not heartless, I just don't get as emotional as Americans do; who see it as something much more personal. However, as a Briton and a critic I'm going to be blunt, brutal and honest. If I receive any damning e-mails (which I no doubt will) I doubt I'll reply to them, I may just refer you to this following sentence: This is a movie. As all those involved died in the incident, it is a complete work of fiction. I am not belittling the tragedy that occurred or justifying the events that followed. I am analysing this film as a film, for the fact remains that this is neither concrete evidence nor an actual account; it is a work of fiction. If you feel that you don't want to hear any more, by all means, look away. We're all familiar with the events and the two main theories that circulate our various political mediums. On September 11th 2001 four planes were hijacked with only one failing to reach its target. There are those that believe that the passengers overpowered the terrorists and crashed the plane, while others believe this is hyped propaganda and that the plane was simply shot down. This film focuses on the former in such a trite and overused way that will leave audiences split. There will be those thinking it's a beautiful tribute and those angry at the attempt to pull on the heart-strings of a nation. Many Americans will have seen the multiple documentaries on the subject - the leading effort being 'The Flight That Fought Back' by the Discovery Channel - which are filmed in a way that makes for better viewing. Director, Paul Greengrass, has opted for the first-person perspective, utilising shaky-cams, quick cuts, low shots and jerky edits, putting the viewer in the intended setting (very much in the style of the D-Day landing scenes of Saving Private Ryan). The film is based in real-time, detailing every second of the ordeal, in an attempt to achieve perfect realism. Everything starts out simple and slow, "Good morning, thank you for flying United." General banter as the plane takes off; people talking about their jobs and families. I'm not going to insult you by describing everything simply because the whole opening is ridiculous. It almost feels like a spoof/parody if it weren't for the serious matters at heart, acting like an anchor, reminding you to feel down. Everything feels cheesy and tacky, from the 'I miss my kids so much' lines to the ominous music as the terrorists get up to go pray before carrying out the deed. Which is awful, not just for the insensitivity of it all, but because Greengrass made such a fuss about accuracy and character studies. He made each actor (mostly unknowns) research their part closely, in order to create the most believable on screen experience; something I believed he could pull off, with the success of Bloody Sunday and The Bourne Supremacy. The first hour serves as a reminder of what happened across the East Coast of America that day, with military officials looking on as reports come in of aircraft descending into the twin towers. The state of urgency, shock and panic that struck such a chord to waking America. We finally get back to the flight, where the terrorists make their move, killing the pilots and a random passenger. Once it's pointed out that they're on a suicide run, the passengers, beset with fear, begin to make phone calls to their loved ones - something that's been endlessly disputed (I've actually seen a man try to make a call from a mobile phone, on a plane -just out of reckless curiosity, I suppose- didn't work) but it serves more as an emotional gathering, reminding the audience that these are real people but done in a way that leaves you feeling a little violated, as if you've been forced to feel bad for these people. That whole feeling, of being slapped around with guilt, resonates time-and-again throughout the film and just ends up taking from the genuine emotions one may be feeling. The worst part is that you aren't told what happened, -as the disclaimer at the end adds- you're shown what might have happened. The lack of conclusions, justifications and ramifications doesn't leave the viewer with an account of the events (as intended) but just emphasises the whole pointlessness of the tragedy, forcing you to feel bad by denying you the final outcome - something that, to this day, most Americans won't be able to tell you, as the government hops from notion to notion, passing the blame. As a final word I would like to state why I have scored this film the way I have -not justify, I earnestly feel I have the right to think and feel anything I wish and that no one on this Earth has the ability to stop me- I am not condemning this film, nor promoting it, simply giving you my opinion as an outsider (the reason you're here, reading this) and telling you to make up your own mind. Release Date: 1st September 2006 The Scene To Look Out For: As the air traffic towers watch the news stations broadcasting the planes crashing into the twin towers, the staff are paralytic. Staring, mouths open, In shock and suspended disbelief as the tragedy unfolds in full, something they hadn't seen in over twenty years and no one was expecting. A high point in the acting, showing why this film is not 'too soon' (something that was shouting at the screening of the first trailers) but released at a perfect time. The acting isn't so much acting, more remembering. Notable Characters: I'm going to get spat on for this but Saeed; the terrorist. Sitting, quietly, looking around the boarding rooms, at those who will be 'punished.' As this scene unfurls you start to realise that he doesn't really regret what he has to do but is simply acting on cultural hatred; something Americans have been doing ever since the attacks, proving that neither nation has learned from the horrors of previous engagements nor truly understands each other. Highlighted Quote: "Nobody's going to help us! We're going to have to do this ourselves!" In A Few Words: "An important film for Americans but don't expect it to do well outside of the States." Total Score: 5/10 Matthew Stogdon |
