worldtradecenter

IN MEMORIUM

This will be one of the hardest reviews that I’ll ever write. Normally, I like to leave Reality out of these cinematic essays--unless it’s a cute anecdote or something amusing. In this case, however I must let Reality intrude...

The heinous and tragic events of September 11, 2001 are something that has been seared into our hearts, minds and souls and shall leave an indelible mark on America for generations to come. It was a day that witnessed evil--yet also heroism, selflessness and sacrifice.

It is these elements of this tragic play that I wish to address in regards to Oliver Stone’s movie. Among the many heroes that day (both in uniform and in civilian clothes) was a Port Authority cop named Christopher Charles Amoroso. He is featured in the movie (played by actor Jon Bernthal--pictured above between Nicolas Cage & Michael Pena).

Sadly, as we all know, Chris perished when the building collapsed around him, his fellow officers and many, many others. I bring it up because I was acquainted with Chris, since we both grew up in North Bergen, NJ and graduated together in NBHS’s Class Of 1990.

Chris was an outgoing guy, a talented “jock” who was also quite the bright student. To say he was a sarcastic kid is an understatement--but then again, we were all punks! Hey, we’re Jersey all the way.

Anyway, throughout college and after, our paths would occasionally cross--and it was always a trip hang out with him. Maturity had made Chris jovial and it was cool seeing him. My best friend John was closer to him, but we all had some fun times.

I had the pleasure of seeing him a few weeks before that fateful day in Manhattan’s Port Authority Terminal and it was a joy to see him. We spoke for a few minutes and then parted, as I was late for work (as usual--but the job sucked anyway).

When John informed me about Chris’ demise, I was extremely saddened (like everyone else, of course). 9/11 had suddenly become much more real to me (up until then, everything was a bizarre dream--I do remember it being an impossibly gorgeous day--but watching the towers burn was truly surrealistic). I saw them collapse on TV--but didn’t react until much later (shock kicked in after disbelief).

His death put a face on the tragedy for me--because I knew him. His bravery in the face of annihilation was quite stoic. I only wish that I may be as strong as he was if I ever have to be. God Bless Christopher (wherever he is) and his family. I dedicate this review to him and all those who perished on that fateful Tuesday, September 11, 2001.

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THE SYNOPSIS

It’s a gorgeous Tuesday morning on September 11, 2001. For Port Authority cops John McLoughlin (Cage) and Will Jimeno (Pena), it’s another day at the Terminal in Manhattan. When a plane hits the Northern Tower of the World Trace Center, John rounds up his men and commandeers a City bus to take them downtown.

On the bus are loyal cops like Will, Dominck Pezzulo (Hernandez), Christopher Amoroso (Bernthal), Giraldi (Nucci) and many others. The trip down is hectic, and when they arrive, no one seems to know just what the hell is going on.

John organizes his men and all proceed into Tower One. They don’t realize that Tower Two has also been hit by a plane--and that Americas is under attack by plane-flying terrorists.

Doesn’t matter, because Tower One collapses with the cops, firemen and thousands of civilians trapped inside. Miraculously some survive: John, Will and Dominick--though he is soon killed by falling debris. John and Will, trapped and in pain, keep each other alive by words and promises.

Their respective wives and families, John’s being Donna and her kids up in Upstate NY and Will’s being Allison (Gyllenhaal) and her daughter (and one on the way) are of course fraught with fear--as are millions of others who ponder the fate of their loved ones.

Many, many hours later--with the help of a dedicated ex-Marine and Connecticut man named David Karnes (Shannon) and several other brave souls, John and Will are rescued on September 12.

The courage and bravery of all will never be forgotten...

THE CRITIQUE

The second 9/11 theatrical release of 2006--the first being Paul Greengrass’s tense United 93, WORLD TRADE CENTER places us in the middle of the events that occurred in lower Manhattan on that tragic day.

The difference here (for me anyway) is that I can relate more to the latter depiction of events due not only to personal feelings (read above’s memorium)--but to geographical ones as well. You see, I live in New Jersey--across from Manhattan, and saw those towers burning. Images that have been seared into my mind forever.

Seeing Stone’s movie put me (as the viewer of recreated events) into a different space and time, 5-7 miles down from where I was standing--so the movie is basically a surreal testament to the agony occurring thereabouts.

When one thinks of an Oliver Stone picture, violence, paranoia, conspiracies and other attributes abound. As an auteur (and he’s earned the title after winning 2 Best Director Oscars© in 3 years--for 1986’s Platoon and 1989’s Born On The Fourth Of July) his movies have generally fallen into 3 sections: the good ones (JFK, Platoon, Wall Street, Born On The Fourth Of July, Salvador); the bad ones (Alexander, The Hand, Natural Born Killers--but these latter 2 were still fun!) and just plain entertaining ones (Any Given Sunday).

WTC is definitely one of his better stabs at filmmaking--because the tragic material is ripe for cinema. Surprisingly (and deservedly), Stone doesn’t inject cynicism or paranoia into this movie. He is simply the storyteller--and shines through as a master one at that. The movie never strays from its subject matter (no plane sequences nor Pentagon images). A fine job helming this movie, Ollie.

The movie is based on the actual events of 9/11 and shepherded by its two main characters, Port Authority cops John McLoughlin and Will Jimeno. The script, by screenwriter Andrea Berloff (2007’s Don’t Look Now), mixes in the right elements of tragedy and heroism--and we have to take her word based on their words to heart--since they were among the several people who made it out alive.

Another kudo must go to the realistic and atmospheric-cinematography, courtesy of Northern Ireland’s Seamus McGarvey (Charlotte’s Web/Sahara/The Hours). A nice job lighting and lensing the Ground Zero sets--which were built and filmed in Los Angeles, by the way.

Kudos also to Oscar©-nominated Production Designer Jan Roelfs (Alexander/Gattaca/Orlando) and his team for those sets--which I understand was fully-functioning, 3-dimensional stages and a true replication of Ground Zero. Just for the record, some of the movie was shot in NYC as well--must maintain a modicum of reality!

Other tech credits (editing, score, etc.) are solid across the board.

In front of the camera performs a cast of talented actors and actresses. Nicolas Cage disappears into the role of McLoughlin (physically and mentally)--which he took after actors George Clooney, Mel Gibson, Kevin Costner and John Travolta all passed.

Up-and-comer Michael Pena (Crash) turns in a strong performance as do the ladies, the lovely and talented Maggie Gyllenhaal & Maria Bello.

THE BOTTOM LINE

A harrowing, yet necessary viewing experience.

The fact that the 2 main characters lived puts an uplifting spin on a tragic event. Well-shot and well-realized, this is Oliver Stone at his most docile--yet totally in control of the medium. Recommended, but I don’t think many will want to keep reliving that terrible day; though it doesn’t really matter, as our media will continually remind us of 9/11 on a daily basis for the rest of our lives.

CAST: Nicolas Cage, Michael Pena, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Maria Bello, Stephen Dorff, Jay Hernandez, Michael Shannon, Nicholas Turturro, Danny Nucci, William Mapother & Jon Bernthal

CREDITS: Director: Oliver Stone; Screenwriter: Andrea Berloff; Producers: Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher, Moritz Borman & Debra Hill; Director of Photography: Seamus McGarvey; Production Designer: Jan Roelfs; Editors: David Brenner & Julie Monroe; Costume Designer: Michael Dennison; Music: Craig Armstrong

AC/AL/V 2006 129m ENGLISH