Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close

Saw the movie "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" yesterday. I didn't quite get the title, but after sleeping on it, I think I get it now. I found the movie to be a profound and moving excerpt from the day we as a nation sat up and took notice of our vulnerabilities of the world we live in. While some may say the emotions of September 11, 2001 are still too raw I saw this movie as a story that needs to be shared. Furthermore, any movie with Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock in it has got to be good.

The first surprise was that Hanks & Bullock really had small bit parts in comparison to what we might have thought and I believe this was a good thing because they would have taken away from what this story was really about. Though, their star power will help attract people to this outstanding movie.

This is a story of a boy ie "Oskar" (Thomas Horn) who sets out on a journey of discovery after his father is killed in one of the World Trade Center buildings on 9-11. The star of the film in addition to Oskar is a "Key" that Oskar finds and believes as does the audience that this key leads to something his father wanted him to have. A journey of discovery takes place and Oskar meets all kinds of people along the way. 

The most poignant part, one of many, is an answering machine with six messages all of which chronicles the time frame of events of that day... "The Worst Day" according to Oskar. However, the key keeps him focused and driven to find the lock that it fits.

In the end... it's not what you expect and the answering machine comes back into focus and of which I believe is the point of the story. Forgiveness and Grace.

Whatever or however you think of that tragic day this movie opens a door to perhaps the sharing of other 9-11 stories that need to be told. While some may say it's all to fresh in the mind and the emotions are still to raw to let go. I believe this story and hundreds if not thousands of the other 9-11 stories need to be told so that it helps us as a nation continue to heal from this national tragedy. It's by these remembered stories that we heal as a country, and bring forgiveness and grace to those who struggle to understand the why's.

I give it a two thumbs up and 5 stars and I thank those who had the courage to put it together.

See You Out on the Road