A human story that must be told and must be seen

Rating: 10/10 (11 August 2006)

The only thing that made me hesitate about seeing this movie was the director - whom I love, but I wasn't ready to have any type of political opinions or statements presented to me in this movie - it just would have been so disrespectful. What I witnessed instead was a deeply tragic, gut wrenching yet beautiful human story. I out-loud cried more than once, and the pin drop silence in the theater was only broken by sobs & sniffles throughout. Anyone who loves their country and was remotely saddened on Sept 11, 2001 will find this movie a must see. I hate to admit that I have not forgotten 9/11, but have forgotten the brutality and the horror but mostly the human story of that Tuesday five years ago. Let me tell you this movie brought it back loud and clear. The movie relentlessly depicted the uncommon valor of that special breed of men - the firefighters, police officers, rescue personnel & military who are willing to lay down their lives for their brothers. But it also showed the fear and hesitation of the same men - it was real - as real as it gets. Mixed in with the waiting and frustrated family - who suddenly realized & must have felt guilty that thousands of other families were suffering as they were all at the same time...this was depicted so starkly. It was a deeply personal and private experience to view the movie, even though I was surrounded by dozens & dozens of people.
Please see this movie - and thank you, Mr. Stone.