A Masterpiece from a Passionate Director

Rating: 10/10 (9 August 2006)

Stone has directed some of the best films of the last 100 years. He, along with Spielberg, understands the power of a good script, a good story, good cinematography, good editing, and most importantly, the ability to connect and make his audience react. "Word Trade Center" offers him another opportunity to handle material that cannot be ignored. What is special about this project is how Stone manages to make a flawless and superb film that does exactly what is supposed to do without compromising or disrespecting its audience, as many contemporary films are doing lately. This film doesn't have a bloated running time because it is compact, direct, without an ounce of fat. It also contains a very tight screenplay that does not waste anytime with pontification or over-sentimentality. What we see is enough to breakdown any emotional resistance we could have about the material (as if it that was possible). In addition, we are able to see a story told in a very interesting way, though not in real time, in a series of scenes that are slow, deliberate, and direct.
Stone's assured direction keeps the details intimate and personal, yet it provides a connection to the universal emotions that bring out the best in all of us, without ignoring the fact that there are also some negative counterparts. With the help of a very talented production team, the film boasts a perfect blend of technical, old fashioned film making, and smoothly integrated computer effects. It is an impressive piece of work, and it surely deserves to receive as many accolades as possible at the end of the year. It is an important film because of its themes and its execution. This is definitely one of his best works as a director, showing many in Hollywood that it is possible to captivate and relate to an audience, going beyond a concept, an idea, a production meeting by carefully integrating every element of cinema and always respecting the audience and the material.
Earlier on, we were witnesses to the talented Streep in two very good films. "WTC" has four marvelous performances from actors who have done good work in the past, but now stand out in a year that might not have great films but some very performances. "WTC" is an excellent film because the very talented Maria Bello once again shows that she can bring life to a character from very deep inside. She is a tower of strength, besieged by her own crisis, and she conveys her distress with an economy of gestures and words in a lovely and expert performance. Cage does very well in his restricted physical setting by carefully transmitting his emotions with his voice and his eyes. He is excellent, and Pena equally matches Cage's superb work. There is the most conventional work, not less effective acting by Gyllenthal who surpasses anything she and her brother have done in the past, as she portrays the distressed wife, who is unsure of what will be expected of her as the events unfold.
"WTC" is an amazing film and hopefully will be recognized by many for what it is, an example of how powerful good cinema truly is. For those who view Stone as a political headache, watch the film without any preconceptions and just witness what real talent can do.