An example of excellence

Rating: 10/10 (29 May 2006)

One thing is for certain: United 93 is a difficult movie to watch. It is unflinching in it's almost moment by moment dissection of September 11, 2001, at least from the point of view of the air traffic controllers, the military controllers and, of course, the passengers and crew of United flight 93. It pulls no punches, doesn't soft pedal anything and really only restrains itself at the last moments, where taste would allow nothing else. And in doing so, writer-director Paul Greengrass has crafted what is almost certain to be the best movie in 2006. That is a high bar to set, but it is difficult to imagine any film coming any closer to the excellence on display here.
United 93 is, almost needless to say, a gut-wrenchingly detailed and, seemingly, accurate, re-creation of many of the events of the morning of 9/11. It's principal focus, more or less, is on the titular flight that was the only one of four planes hijacked that morning to fail to reach it's intended target, in this case, the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. We see the passengers and crew going through their average routines, preparing the flight for takeoff, talking about their lives in snippets, nothing out of the ordinary. The flight control centers that are key to the days events are also introduced, tracking planes, worrying about the weather, the usual stuff for them. We also see the terrorists preparing themselves, praying and gathering their weapons. They appear, to the average individual, no different than anyone else. Few would realize that these four individuals are capable of the acts they are about to perform.
To give a traditional plot summary, beyond the above setup, is practically useless. This is not really a traditional narrative film. Greengrass has put it together in an almost documentary form, using almost no recognizable actors (and often utilizing the real individuals that were working in the air traffic control centers), hand-held camera moves and very few filmic tricks. We believe we are in the rooms with these individuals when it happens, following along as the day's horrific developments unfold. It is almost shocking to view the early moments when the first flight is believed to be hijacked and the air traffic controllers almost dismiss it. It has been so long since something like that has happened, they can't believe in the possibility. It is only after listening to cockpit transmissions from the first plane to be reported hijacked, American 11, that the reality of the situation sinks in.
We are quickly drawn in to the confusion, the sense of pure helplessness in the film. These men and women at the various locations are simply unable to really do anything, and as audience members, we can sit and scream mentally on the inside to do something. But that day was simply one that was unprecedented and beyond comprehension. The actors in United 93 are stellar in their performances. The nuances, delivery and body language are more believable than almost any other fiction film I have ever witnessed. The direction is near perfect also. The editing and choice of camera angles bring us into the action, never locking us out.
Throughout, Greengrass mounts the tension impressively. We know the outcome, how things will turn out, but we can't help but be caught up in the moment. After the terrorists capture Flight 93 and the passengers begin plotting to take back the plane, the moments as they call their loved ones and give their goodbyes are heart-wrenching, to say the least. Composer John Powell deserves a strong notice for crafting an understated, yet amazingly effective score that does not manipulate your emotions, but underlines what is happening on screen, especially in the film's concluding moments.
For those who might complain about the portrayal of the terrorists, I find this a difficult point for anyone to argue over. Greengrass gives them as much objectivity as the other characters, and we cannot help but be affected, emotionally, by their actions. We see at least one, the lead terrorist, portrayed by Khalid Abdalla, who is obviously having reservations about his actions and decision to go forward with this plan. His fellow hijackers are more than willing to make the move, but he is not. The final actions are known, but Greengrass does not reduce these men to caricatures, they are believable men who do inexplicable things.
It is almost impossible to watch United 93 and not be flooded by a range of emotions, ranging from sadness, helplessness, and, most significantly, anger. You almost find yourself wanting to jump onto the screen and take matters into your own hands, to stop the inevitable from unfolding, but you must just watch as the film moves toward it's inescapable conclusion.
There are few other films that are this effective at moving an audience without manipulating them, and for that reason alone, United 93 is an impressive feat. But it is more than that. It is a template for how filmed accounts of events such as this should be mounted, a defining moment in film history. United 93 is the very best movie I have seen in a long time, and will not be quickly forgotten.