The story centers around a nine year old named, Oskar Schell, who has autism. He is a smart and curious boy with many fears and reservations about the outside world. His father, Thomas Schell, tries to get him to open up and explore the world in new and interesting ways. Along with his mother, Linda Schell, the trio play a happy little family just living their lives in New York City. When his father dies in the terrorist attacks in September 11th, 2001, Oskar tries to find any way he can to stay connected to his father and not let his memory die. He finds a key and is adamant about finding the lock that it fits, convinced it's a sign from his father. He travels the streets of New York and searches for some meaning in his father's death.
The movie is long as it is about 2 hours, which makes shelling out the $11.50, worth it. It dragged at points, and certain resolutions could have came sooner in the film. However, the acting was impeccable. Tom Hanks as the father and Sandra Bullock as the mother, were the perfect match in this movie. In the few scenes they were together, their chemistry as a happy and in love married couple was not only believable, but endearing. With other supporting actors such as Zoe Caldwell as Oskar's grandmother, and Max von Sydow, who earned an Oscar nomination as The Renter, without even uttering a single word, the film was filled with emotional scenes filled with heart.
However, the true star of this movie was Thomas Horn, who played the key protagonist, Oskar Schell. In his first film, Thomas not only captured the emotions of the nine year old autistic boy, but he brought the entire movie to life. He was in almost every scene and carried this story to fruition. His emotional outbursts were believable, and his eery disconnection from the outside world was haunting. He was the star of this movie, and it leave one wondering if any other child star could have pulled it off as seamlessly as he did.
The movie deals with some powerful issues like autism, death and fear. An important part of this movie was the setting in which it took place. The attacks on September 11th, are something that everyone can relate to. The movie captured the sadness and overwhelming fear the world felt at that time in 2001. It was emotional to relive the day ten years ago that brought the United States to its knees, but the movie handled it delicately enough, that it wasn't inappropriate or too much.
The movie's resolution was heart warming and the movie in it's entirety reminds one of the impact a devastating event can have on a young child. The movie is definitely worth a watch; if not for it's impeccable acting, but for it's emotionally charged message.
No comments:
Post a Comment