One of the most moving films I have ever seen!

Rating: 10/10 (9 May 2006)

After walking out of the film (excuse me), I walked into the men's bathroom, and there were two men standing against the wall crying. As one of the men looked up at me, tears streaming down his face, I knew what he was going through, and he just shook his head saying, "Wheeew, man that was rough." Never have I seen a film affect people to this degree. Other than seeing "The Passion of Christ," I never saw an audience leave in complete silence. Usually someone speaks, but you could have heard a pin drop.
Paul Greengrass, the director, shows you something true (or as close to true as facts allow). Most films that are fiction and have great stories move us emotionally, but those films that are true and have something we remember involving a devastating event effect us to the core. I think most of us can remember where we were when we first heard the news of 09/11/2001. My mom remembers running down the street at 24 years old telling everyone that Kennedy had been shot. I remember watching the space shuttle explode in the 80's (skipped out of school that dayha ha), but nothing compared to watching the live television coverage of the World Trade Center disaster.
Greengrass, being English, doesn't just concentrate on the plight of the passengers, but allows the audience to see it from the terrorist's eyes as well.
Spoiler: There is a scene where the primary terrorist is sitting next to a prominent executive in a designer suit and leather shoes. You see him continuing to stare at the shoes as if to be thinking my compatriots and people are dying and starving and this greedy American continues to consume products at will without regard to survival.
As you watch this film, keep in mind that the film is just as long as the actual flight of United 93. Given the circumstances, what would you do? What amount of terror would you be feeling? The passengers had only a short time to react to all the things that were happening, yet they found the time to call their loved ones and tell them bye. Greengrass' film is emotionally draining and powerful. Greengrass takes you on the ride with the passengers and doesn't let you go. I did find myself having an urge to leave the theater because I wanted to get off the plane. Then I reminded myself, "They couldn't get off, so I won't leave them." This film will be the one remembered in years to come as the pivotal film about 09/11.