a harrowing cinematic experience

Rating: 10/10 (20 March 2007)

I only recently saw this film on DVD as my partner refused to see it as the whole September 11 event had a big impact on him. I've never been overly sentimental about what happened. I didn't see it live on TV like many I know (including my partner), and as I am on the other side of the world I felt far enough removed for it to be little more than merely a shocking and surreal event. So I came to watch this film by myself, in a comfortable armchair, the day before I was to fly to Melbourne, and it left me devastated. As many have noted, the final 10 minutes are unbelievably tense. Yes you know the outcome, but the matter-of-fact, documentary-like way in which the events are presented allowed me access to this tragedy in a way I had previously been unable to manage. As the list of mistakes and oversights on the part of the Aviation authorities, airlines and military grows, so too does the tension, as the film marches towards it's inevitable conclusion. The helplessness of all involved and the seemingly naiive disbelief that something like this could possibly happen makes United 93 extremely unnerving. On display is some of the most remarkable sound design and editing I have ever seen. This is one of the most brilliantly constructed films I have ever seen. Greengrass should have received an Oscar for this film. And United 93 should have at least been nominated for Best Picture, if not taken out the category. I have never been emotionally affected by a film this way. And it achieves this effect without any exploitation or manipulation of events. Truly, this is cinema or the highest order and an important film to experience.