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Incredibly Loud and Extremely Close
Director: Stephen Daldry
Incredibly Loud and Extremely Close wasn't really a bad movie, and I didn't hate it. But I don't think it moved me as much as it should have, considering it's topic of 9/11. It more focuses on a traumatized kid who may be on the autism spectrum, and how this boy deals with his fears. So, to tell the truth, I wasn't really sure what it was about. Was it about 9/11 or understanding mental illnesses? Was it about dealing with your fears or remembering your loved ones? Accepting loss or letting it go? I had a lot of questions with this movies, and many I am still pondering.
This was a long movie... well, it felt long, even though it was only about two hours. And that's why I think it isn't the most re-watchable movie ever... it all builds up the final climax and final location of the key. But it's the journey that matters, the movie seems to say. Is the journey worth watching for two hours over again?
And, frankly, it wasn't that original, was it? Yes, it takes a new approach on 9/11, but it's the same sentimental message, and I began to realize the movie is basically saying the same thing that Up was saying- how to let go of loss and fears. But then again, Up was made before this movie, and I think it does a better job of not trying to weigh us down with forced moments.
The characters, on the other hand, were brilliantly well though out. Our protagonist, a boy who I think is on the autism spectrum, is a kid struggling with the loss of his father a year ago in 9/11. We see glimpses of what the father was like, and the mother is another complex and interesting character.
The acting was also phenomenal, especially the young kid, who did a fantastic job of portraying what trauma and possible autism might be like. Tom Hanks of course was amazing, and I really enjoyed Sandra Bullock as well.
Structurally, I wasn't quite convinced. Oskar is struggling with his identity and his father, and the whole story is just that. However, his rising actions aren't very well thought out. Instead, his strengthening of character is ruined by some of the last scenes, where he goes into one of his fits again. Although he shapes up by the end, I think that really destroys the structure the movie was creating for him.
The pacing I don't think was very good, but I think the film did a good job of showing what perhaps trauma or autism might be like, with loud noises and fast images, as well as odd trade-off scenes with long dialogue and then very fast imagery or information. Overall, it could have been better, but they pulled it off.
The themes and values are basically that of Up. At it's core, this story says that loss and pain can only be accepted through the release of that loss, and moving forward in life. It's a great theme, but sometimes I feel that the rudeness of the boy and his relationships with people can get in the way of it being presented in the way that Docter does.
The visuals and cinematography weren't anything too special, but not bad. Some of the moments with fast images and a lot of talking could be overload, but then again, I think that was the point.
Another meh for music. I didn't really hear anything, no real melody or leitmotif, certainly nothing we can connect to. Just some sad, sentimental music with no cohesiveness throughout. A bit disappointing.
Overall, there were some brilliant moments in this film, but I'm not sure how well it holds up. Sure, the emotional effect is strong, but if you dissect all the layers of the film, not only does a lot of the plot not make sense (who would let a random boy who's obviously mentally ill into their home and not call the police), but some of the pacing and structure-related things don't line up, making for an emotional experience, but nothing very thrilling.
Director: Stephen Daldry
Incredibly Loud and Extremely Close wasn't really a bad movie, and I didn't hate it. But I don't think it moved me as much as it should have, considering it's topic of 9/11. It more focuses on a traumatized kid who may be on the autism spectrum, and how this boy deals with his fears. So, to tell the truth, I wasn't really sure what it was about. Was it about 9/11 or understanding mental illnesses? Was it about dealing with your fears or remembering your loved ones? Accepting loss or letting it go? I had a lot of questions with this movies, and many I am still pondering.
This was a long movie... well, it felt long, even though it was only about two hours. And that's why I think it isn't the most re-watchable movie ever... it all builds up the final climax and final location of the key. But it's the journey that matters, the movie seems to say. Is the journey worth watching for two hours over again?
And, frankly, it wasn't that original, was it? Yes, it takes a new approach on 9/11, but it's the same sentimental message, and I began to realize the movie is basically saying the same thing that Up was saying- how to let go of loss and fears. But then again, Up was made before this movie, and I think it does a better job of not trying to weigh us down with forced moments.
The characters, on the other hand, were brilliantly well though out. Our protagonist, a boy who I think is on the autism spectrum, is a kid struggling with the loss of his father a year ago in 9/11. We see glimpses of what the father was like, and the mother is another complex and interesting character.
The acting was also phenomenal, especially the young kid, who did a fantastic job of portraying what trauma and possible autism might be like. Tom Hanks of course was amazing, and I really enjoyed Sandra Bullock as well.
Structurally, I wasn't quite convinced. Oskar is struggling with his identity and his father, and the whole story is just that. However, his rising actions aren't very well thought out. Instead, his strengthening of character is ruined by some of the last scenes, where he goes into one of his fits again. Although he shapes up by the end, I think that really destroys the structure the movie was creating for him.
The pacing I don't think was very good, but I think the film did a good job of showing what perhaps trauma or autism might be like, with loud noises and fast images, as well as odd trade-off scenes with long dialogue and then very fast imagery or information. Overall, it could have been better, but they pulled it off.
The themes and values are basically that of Up. At it's core, this story says that loss and pain can only be accepted through the release of that loss, and moving forward in life. It's a great theme, but sometimes I feel that the rudeness of the boy and his relationships with people can get in the way of it being presented in the way that Docter does.
The visuals and cinematography weren't anything too special, but not bad. Some of the moments with fast images and a lot of talking could be overload, but then again, I think that was the point.
Another meh for music. I didn't really hear anything, no real melody or leitmotif, certainly nothing we can connect to. Just some sad, sentimental music with no cohesiveness throughout. A bit disappointing.
Overall, there were some brilliant moments in this film, but I'm not sure how well it holds up. Sure, the emotional effect is strong, but if you dissect all the layers of the film, not only does a lot of the plot not make sense (who would let a random boy who's obviously mentally ill into their home and not call the police), but some of the pacing and structure-related things don't line up, making for an emotional experience, but nothing very thrilling.