Sept. 11, 2001 is a day many Americans would rather not re-visit. So why has Hollywood decided to bring the day’s tragic events to the big screen? Perhaps because people remain fascinated that the event occurred but don’t know much about what happened except for what they’ve seen on television.
Universal Studio’s new film “United 93” attempts to show what the general public wasn’t able to see that day – a fresh angle on a played-out subject.
Made nearly five years after the Sept. 11 attacks, “United 93” chronicles the day’s events from the perspective of air traffic controllers and the military while including the story behind United Airlines Flight 93, the only hijacked plane to miss its intended target. United 93 crashed into a field in Pennsylvania after passengers and flight attendants revolted against the hijackers.
One of the most striking scenes shows just how helpless the situation was, depicting controllers in the tower at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York looking at the World Trade Center, wondering why it’s burning. Writer and director Paul Greengrass creates a narrative about the flight itself based on passenger phone calls made aboard the doomed planes.
The movie jumps between the events aboard United 93 and on the ground, and the viewer plays the role of silent observer as the day progresses. The film never allows for character development, and the names of characters aren’t even introduced. It has a detached feeling and lacks a tight storyline. Despite these faults the film does manage to take the events of Sept. 11, a tired subject, and make them fresh, especially with its behind-the-scenes perspective.
One of the film’s best features is that it neither turns the rebellious passengers into superhuman heroes, nor turns the hijackers into inhuman villains. Both are shown as ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. The hijackers are portrayed as nervous and slightly unorganized, at times even as afraid of their actions as the flight’s passengers. The heroic passengers are portrayed simply as people who made a quick decision when faced with a life-or-death situation.
Greengrass even draws parallels between the hijackers and the passengers, such as the juxtaposition of the passengers and terrorists praying.
The film does not feature any big-name actors, making it seem more real.
Greengrass didn’t make the movie until he received permission from every family of the flight’s victims. He also did meticulous research on the event and extensive interviews with family members.
Despite Greengrass’ efforts to make the movie as respectful as possible, the question remains whether the movie should have been made. Even though it has been five years since Sept. 11, it is doubtful whether Americans are ready to handle a movie such as “United 93.” Before the movie even opened, movie theaters pulled the trailers from some screens in New York City because of the strong emotional response from audiences.
There is a certain amount of guilt involved with watching the movie, especially because of the nagging feeling that someone is profiting from the tragedy of Sept 11. Yet is this any less shameful than the plethora of memorabilia that cropped up post-Sept. 11, including everything from commemorative coins to T-shirts emblazoned with the images of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and the U.S. flag?
The fact remains that the story of the passengers on United 93 is compelling and interesting. Despite the controversy surrounding the making of the movie, Americans have been willing to pay to see it. Last weekend it was fifth at the box office.
Many are fascinated with how the events of Sept. 11 were able to happen, and the effect on U.S. popular culture has been profound. Sept. 11 has been the subject of books, graphic novels and made-for-television movies. Now Hollywood has decided to take a shot. As long as people struggle to make sense of the tragedy, it will continue to influence our media.