Its impossible to know whether America was ready for this movie, but it doesn't much matter because here it is. This movie along with United 93 are the reminders of the most horrible day in this Country. I guess one could argue between this and Pearl Harbor, but that would be one stupid argument. Where United 93 told the story of those in the air this tells the story of those on ground. The movie's tag line tells us it is the the story of two men, but that is a gross understatement. This is a movie about those 2 men, yes, but it is also about their families, friends and everyone involved in finding them. For those of you unaware of the plot here it is: 2 police officers are trapped in the rubble of the World Trade Centers and they are trying to keep each other awake until they can be found. They never give up hope and in the end they are saved.
The movie stars Nic Cage and Michael Pena as the two cops and Maria Bello and Maggie Gylenhall as their wives. My first concern with this movie before seeing it was that having a big name star like Nic Cage would lessen the realism, but I was wrong. In fact, Oliver Stone manages the giant massive topic with an undeniable intimacy. The movie is far from perfect but it isn't easy to criticize a movie that is such a tribute to the fighting human spirit. This movie isn't really for us though, it is for the future generations of people who weren't around for this tragedy. It is so we can avoid having a movie like Pearl Harbor. When you come out of the theater you want to find the nearest cop or fireman and shake their hand. You want to help someone less fortunate than you. It isn't as good of a movie as United 93 because it has some script flaws and a bit of that normal Nic Cage over acting screaming thing but it doesn't much matter. The movie wants us to feel something and I did. Everyone in the theater had tears in their eyes as we exited the building and no one was talking.
Perhaps it is too soon for this day to be revisited, but since they have gone ahead and done it, I urge everyone to rent this movie and rent United 93. However, not at the same time because that would just be too much. When you do get passed the not so good acting from the usually reliable Marria Bello and Maggie Gyllenhall and get to the core of watching these two guys, facing certain death, fight to stay alive for their families. Watch as people search and watch as hundreds of fire fighters and cops come together to save 20 people. I don't think you will be disappointed
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