The Power of the Human Spirit

Rating: 9/10 (17 August 2006)

The lofty title of this film is somewhat erroneous because it is really the true story about two Port Authority cops trapped in the rubble of the collapsed WTC towers. It follows them from amidst their lower middle class families living in New York City boroughs from early morning of 9/11 and into the insane terror to come.
This is probably the most well-balanced and objective film I have seen from Oliver Stone. It's thoroughly professional, well written and directed. The reconstruction of the atrocious terror and its severe impact is meticulous. Emotionally moving, it's flawed perhaps only by the excessive, anguished histrionics of the two officers' families which while easily understood does not play well in dramatic presentation. There is an old axiom, here: "If the character cries the audience does not."
However, as a vehicle for the power of the human spirit the film is otherwise worthy and competent. The real story here and the most heartfelt is that of the former real life ex-marine, Dave Barnes who while not even from New York City leaves his work and his home town, puts on his old uniform, wheedles his way into the mountain of violent WTC aftermath and eventually locates the two cops buried deeply in the mounds of twisted steel and concrete. His single-minded act of extraordinary courage and commitment to his country and fellow man is all too rare today in this holistic idea of a nation that gives so much to its citizens many of whom take it all for granted. The film is highly recommended.