World Trade Centre

It may have been five years since 9/11 but the issue still sits at the forefront of our modern society, the ripples caused by the events of that day still echo out over the world at large. So does that mean that a Hollywood blockbuster based on the events is acceptable? Well ultimately that is up to us all individually to decide, but when one is as safely made as this one that manages to tell an heroic story whilst honouring those affected by that day it is hard to see many people having serious objections. That's not to say the film is amazing, it isn't and there are dangers of glossing over that day with the sheen of a big budget blockbuster but thanks to Oliver Stones steady hand at the controls World Trade Centre managed to edge the borderline between United 93 style realism and those hallmark style made for TV specials. In fact for a film called World Trade Centre there isn't actually much focus on the towers and reaction to the events from around the world, more time is spent in the rubble following two brave Port Authority Officers who find themselves trapped when the towers collapse. The opening of the film is striking in its simplicity, morning life in New York like any other day and yet totally different. Somehow Stone manages to convey a wistful sense of nostalgia for a time just 5 years shy of now. However seeing the actual event recreated, as well as peoples reactions is an odd thing, everyone remembers where they were that day and to see it, and yet know it is a film is a slightly off putting thing at first. However once the officers are trapped - a sequence that suitable captures the absolute terror and sheer force the collapse would have caused - the film improves with a tight claustrophobic atmosphere that immediately puts you in the place of those men. As the time goes on we follow the two officer's families as they wait for news from the site, as well as a former army sergeant stroke pastor who volunteers himself to search the rubble. Following these stories is a questionable decision though as it offers us the viewers a beak from the rubble, therefore disrupting the mood created. It would have been a much braver and more effective move to stay with these trapped men for the entire time and truly get into their position. Maria Bello and Maggie Gyllenhall do decent enough jobs as the spouses of the trapped men but it is these sections of the film that seem to head towards the aforementioned Hallmark made-for-TV style and won't be as palatable for non-American audiences and the rather corny dialogue and flashback sequences doesn't help the situation. But once again when the story comes back to the trapped men it captures your attention and both actors rise to the occasion with great emotion with the limited space, light and movement they have. Their plight is realised superbly and so when the rescue comes it is a massive relief, a ray of light in the darkness and a wonderful outlet for the despair that starts to creep into the proceedings. I have to admit that bits of the film really go to me, but in an obvious way. United 93 hits you with its cold factual views of the day, World Trade Centre feels more like it is manoeuvring you into certain feelings and so it works as a cathartic tool but also feels slightly manipulative. Basically Oliver Stone has constructed the kind of film you would expect to see about 9/11, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The film looks at the positives of the day and points towards the common good we share as people and on a day so full of the worst humans are capable of it can be nice to be reminded of that. After watching the film it made me want to call my family and tell them I loved them, hug my wife and pray that no-one I know ever has to go through such an event, and that if nothing else captures the feeling of September 11th perfectly. Heartfelt and reverent this is a typical Hollywood representation of the events of 9/11 but done with a style and grace that does justice to those involved and honours the good that was found amongst the tragedy.