An intimate perspective of what happened "that day"

Rating: 8/10 (27 October 2006)

In its own quiet way, Oliver Stone's World Trade Center grips the viewer as unimaginable events unfold around two ordinary men working in the security department of the port of New York. We all know what happened that day, and most would also know the outcome of what happened to these two men. The 9/11 event was, after all, one of the most widely covered by the media. Yet for those of us who think we already know it all, there is nothing like revisiting that fateful day through the eyes of those who were right there in the thick of it. Here, the recreation of Ground Zero is impressive. It is as if the viewer was right there on the Tuesday morning of 9/11, and also with the victims following the attacks. Nicholas Cage gives a suitably subdued performance as befits his screen character John McLoughlin, while feisty newcomer Michael Pena as Will Jimeno shows himself to be an actor with much promise. Overall, the film is superbly cast, and both Maria Bello and Maggie Gyllenhaal inhabit their wifely characters of Donna McLoughlin and Allison Jimeno so well that they take your breath away. Donna's hugging scene near the end with a mother who was missing her son will bring lumps to one's throat. Unlike in other Oliver Stone movies, there is no posturing in this one. I was even compelled to see this movie twice, and i have to say that i cried more the second time around. This is maybe because the first time, i was just getting acquainted with the characters while the second time around, they were already like familiar friends. While what the suicide terrorists did on 9/11 was both evil and stupid and sickening, director Oliver Stone has helped to bring about some healing - local as well as global - through this movie. World Trade Center shows that the worst kinds of events can still bring out the best from those affected. On a more personal note, this is my favorite Oliver Stone film to date, and i never thought i'd see the day when i would even consider liking any film by this surprising director.