Sometimes a trailer is a little too good.
I haven’t run across anyone who walks away from the United 93 trailer unrattled. In case you haven’t heard, this is the first big-screen "9/11 movie," an account of what happened aboard the best-documented hijacked flight, United Flight 93, bound for San Francisco. (I effortlessly missed the TV movie of the same name, whereas I’m agonizing over this. I suppose I just expect tastelessness from movies-of-the week, and set my filters accordingly.) The ordeal of the Flight 93 passengers — who allegedly banded together to overwhelm the hijackers, a heroic act that cost them their lives when the plane went down in rural Pennsylvania — was the most natural story to tell (if natural’s the word). Paul Greengrass (Bloody Sunday, The Bourne Supremacy) will be the one telling it. And from the look of the trailer, he may have done a good job. Maybe too good.
I don’t think I believe in right and wrong, when it comes to which stories one ought to tell. Certainly, some stories are more openly pernicious than others; some are downright inappropriate. Some are difficult, but necessary. Apart from the political considerations behind the making of a 9/11 movie, what sort of emotional calculus should the moviegoer perform before choosing to see such a thing?
I can tell you that this trailer left me feeling jelly-legged,queasy, angry, and feeling those red bursts of murderous rage that keptme up nights (along with sheer terror) in the weeks that followed 9/11.We described what we saw on our screens as "like a movie." And sonaturally, we tried to write ourselves into that movie. Not one of ushasn’t dreamt/nightmared/fantasized about what he/she might have doneaboard that flight. Not one us hasn’t imagined him or herself a victim,a hero, or some combination thereof.
But now there is a movie. And here’s the difficult part:Reality doesn’t furnish us with Jack Ryans and John McClanes. There isprobably no yippy-ky-yay moment in United 93. (Or, at least,there’d better not be. I can’t imagine anything more grotesque.) Thereare merely kinds of death, minor variations on an inevitable catastophethat may define the victims, grant them a modicum of agency, butcertainly don’t redeem them or us or anything. Any definition of"victory" must be revised groundward from the usual, weightlessHollywood norm.
And yet, I’m not sure I want to see that either. I’m tempted to saysuch a thing is beyond fiction, but that’s extraordinarily subjectiveand narrow. Clearly, the Holocaust isn’t beyond fiction. Nor any othergreat, hideous human tragedy we seek to cope with and control throughstory. This is what we do, how we heal. The timing doesn’t feel right,and it may never feel right. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t tell thetale.
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Here is a case where we’re not expecting made-for-TV-movie quality, so that eases some of the fear about misrepresenting the story or downplaying its ability to affect us emotionally without bringing the cheese factor in. This is definitely the type of film that is made for the purpose of reminding the public about something that collectively happened to all of us. As far as a reminder, I say we need that! We have so many diversions and are faced with “big news” daily that this event is still in the public consciousness but not always openly discussed. It’ll be good to see what kind of effect this film might have on our collective memory. Maybe it’ll do some good.
Agree with all your sentiments. The trailer was really disturbing and made me uncomfortable. I had to look away three times during the stream. I can’t imagine sitting through 2 hours of that and probably won’t go to see the film.
Man Scott you are on your game today. Another fantastic piece. I love your reference to controlling human history through the story. That is definitly going in my next essay!
I think we can take solace in the fact that the movie is pro-American and will highlight the heroic acts of the passengers aboard the flight. It will be interesting to watch the public react to this movie so soon after the tragedy. As long as it’s done responsibly – and I’m sure it is – there’s a place for this film.
i’d feel better if they were donating all the proceeds to the flight 93 fund they keep promoting at the end of their commercials.
no matter how good (or bad) this movie turns out to be, it just seems wrong that somebody is profitting off of this. we can all say that movies are made for the purpose of making art, and/or for telling this heroic story. but we all know in reality that they wouldn’t get made if somebody wasn’t making a buck somewhere along the way. it just seems as though they are looting and pillaging the memories and lives of the people who lived through this tragic event.
I heard the flight 93 victims’ families gave their okay for this movie to be made. IMHO, at least 50% of the proceeds from this should go to the families of those who perished. Those of us who donated to the victims fund, blood to the red cross, or who visited New York City to pay our respects, question the sincerity of Hollywood’s “homage”.
On a different level, the movie’s vision of what happened is one interpretation of the story. If someone made a flight 93 movie with a final scene where the plane gets shot down by our own government, there’d be a huge stink about it. What I mean to say is the vision presented as “fact” in the movie still has its controversies.
I agree with this statement “I can tell you that this trailer left me feeling jelly-legged, queasy…” I did not know what to expect by watching the trailer – but once the plan went into the tower – it all became surreal again and had to stop watching after they showed the second plane hitting. I am not sure if I am ready to see this movie, nor the American public (esp us NJ/NYers) that actually saw the horror on that day – and not on TV. If this movie does make a profit – it should go to the families and not to pad the studios pocket.
I agree with ScriptGrrl. When I saw the trailer (I orginally thought it was for Snakes on a Plane), I was a little uncomfortable. I probably won’t be seeing this one.
I actually did watch the made-for-tv movie of the same name, and I am not a habitual made-for-tv movie viewer. It was actually decent, and got tears out of me on several occasions.
After I saw the trailer…the TRAILER, tears were running down my cheeks. I was very rattled by it. At first I thought that the movie was just too soon, but then I realized that no matter when it came out, I’m sure I would have that same reaction. I also remember during all of the 9-11 aftermath, that I knew that there would be movies someday…
i have to agree, made me sick to my stomach… it might be hard to watch. One of those movies that you will need to see but are not looking forward to it.
As long as it is reverent and well-made, then it deserves a profit. As Scott said, people have been turning horrible events into profitable films for years (you think Spielberg donated all the profits of Schindler’s List to charity?). Yes it does seem a little too soon, but I can guarantee you that this is going to be a far less offensive movie than whatever crap Oliver Stone can come up with. This looks pretty straightforward and the fact that Paul Greengrass (who distilled another real life horrific event, Bloody Sunday in Ireland, into a remarkable docudrama) makes me feel like this should be ok. You know Oliver Stone (who has been grasping at artistic straws of late) is going to take a far less reverential tone with his World Trade Center movie.
I don’t think they should have made this movie yet. It’s still to affecting, and when I watch the trailer, I get distinctly uncomfortable. I’m definitely not watching the movie.
There is never a good time to make a movie like this but I am glad that this will be the first one out. I saw a little behind-the-scenes that talked with the family members and they described their feelings on the movie. In fact, I think they were highly involved in the process of making the movie.
I just saw the trailer — wow, amazing trailer. Thank GOD they didn’t use famous actors, because the point, after all, is that acts of terrorism hit the random, ordinary people. I’m not totally sure how I feel about the movie. The last thing, frankly, that this country needs is emotional justification for our ludicrous invasion of Iraq. I feel like people have just begun to think rationally (and not emotively) about 9/11, and this movie is just going to bring the “tears” and “rage” to the forefront again (as the posts indicate). And before anyone starts on me, I’ve lost friends to suicide bombers in Sri Lanka. (And frankly, I’m really tired of hearing about terrorism as somehow an exclusively American and Israeli problem.)
unfortunately, they showed the trailer for Flight 93 before Inside Man; i was in tears before it was even halfway finished. though i understand and respect where everyone is coming from, it’s not the fact that it makes me uncomfortable– that reason alone, for me, isn’t justification for not seeing a film. mostly, i agree with bjm– no one should be making money off this movie.
what’s even worse, is that the actual footage of the Twin Towers going down is part of the film. i recalled exactly where i was that day and how horrifying the whole experience was. because, you see, the thing about 9/11 is, it wasn’t a war. this isn’t like Apocalypse Now, or even Jarhead, it’s not a statement about war– which, well unjustified, is always a decision made by the government. innocent people died during 9/11. it was an aberration, a tragedy. they were victims, not soldiers or politicians, and i don’t think this fictionalized account — even though it is based in truth — is a good way to preserve the integrity of those individuals. whether they got the families’ permission or not. this is insensitive and, if nothing else, too soon. people are still trying to heal.
I just wanted to thank everyone for participating in this thread. I’ve found the comments really insightful and a great response to Scott Brown’s well written topic. Popwatch has gone from fringey to super awesome in less than a year!
The question I ask is, ‘Why?’. Why make this film at all?
We are all very conversant with the details of the terrible tragedies that occurred that day and so I do question the motivation regarding it.
As many people have written here, perhaps if most/all of the profits were being donated to charity then that would be a good enough reason…just.
However, this does not appear to be the case, and so I ask again, ‘Why?’. The ONLY logical answer has to be exploitation/profit-making. The words, ‘Homage’ & ‘Tribute’ are ringing very hollow here. This is completely pointless as I, along with the mass majority, am still painfully capable of recalling everything that happened that day.
Wait 20 years and then show it as a historical reminder to our children, but 5 years after the event, the memories persist without unnecessary ‘Hollywood-ification’.
PS I am from the UK – not a US citizen.
I just opened the web site for united 93, and before I even entered the site, the picture of the plane in the background of the Statue of Liberty opened a flood gate of tears. Don’t get me wrong, I am not one of thoses who steals the grief of others. When princess Diane died, I was amazed at Americans who grieved yearly for someone that they did not know personally. To feel for the family is the rightful place of those of us on the outside…
So I had to ask myself, why such a deep sudden response after so long?
I do not believe that our media, for what ever reason, has allowed us to take in the full impact of what this has done to our nation. Like the elephant in the living room, we may deny it, but if it is there, it is difficult to circumnavigate.
I fear that the reason may be that it would somehow justify our actions in Iraq, taking the battle elsewhere to protect citizens. How much of what is news is only to fulfill someones political aspirations, and how much damage to we do in the process?
So Why? Why make this film at all?
Because we have lost touch with reality, and only reality can serve the public.
President Bush is constantly telling the world “don’t forget 911.” And now, “United 93,” one of the first films to tackle that subject matter; that horrific day in history when thousands of innocent Americans were murdered, people are angry and walking out on the trailer for the film. Why? Probably the same reason Bush became president and the United States invaded Iraq: ignorance. Those who support the war assume the propaganda of Fox Cable News and other religious/conservative medias, that it is Hollywood’s attempt to capitalize on war. And yet, the same media outlets have made profitable careers off 911. Good or bad. 911 is the best thing that ever happened to George Bush and Fox Cable News.
While “United 93” is promoted as a Universal Studios Picture, it was produced by a company less well known, “Working Title Films.” My father, a writer, taught me the following phrase: “consider the source.” Some of “Working Title Films” include: “Pride And Prejudice,” “Nanny McPhee,” “About A Boy,” “Bridget Jones,” “The Translator,” etc. This is not a company that produces typical commercial crap. Most the films from Working Title have been heartfelt, character-driven dramadies. Among their productions is the very heartwarming and successful “Billy Elliot, The Musical” which is playing in London.
Having not yet seen “United 93,” I can only assume it’s a character-driven piece that serves to promote the heroic behavior exhibited by American heroes who knew on that fateful day that they were giving their lives to their country and facing certain death. It’s not a story about war or killing. It’s a bittersweet tragedy. It’s about honor, commitment, bravery and fear. It’s about human behavior. The best and the worst.
It’s unfair to treat all people the same and all movies. To walk out on a trailer merely because of the subject matter and a false assumption is unfair. People like Fox’s Bill will probably criticize the producers of “United 93” for profiting off the victims. The conservative right wants American emotions angry so that we will fight. They fear that a film such as “United 93” will touch our hearts and not enrage us to attack the attackers is a fear that the right labels: liberal.
We all die. What matters is how we live. “United 93” serves to share the lives of a special few, who upon knowing their fate of death, stood tall to honor who they are: true Americans who gave their lives meaning. And “United 93” celebrates that fact.
President Bush is constantly telling the world “don’t forget 911.” And now, “United 93,” one of the first films to tackle that subject matter; that horrific day in history when thousands of innocent Americans were murdered, people are angry and walking out on the trailer for the film. Why? Probably the same reason Bush became president and the United States invaded Iraq: ignorance. Those who support the war assume the propaganda of Fox Cable News and other religious/conservative medias, that it is Hollywood’s attempt to capitalize on war. And yet, the same media outlets have made profitable careers off 911. Good or bad. 911 is the best thing that ever happened to George Bush and Fox Cable News.
While “United 93” is promoted as a Universal Studios Picture, it was produced by a company less well known, “Working Title Films.” My father, a writer, taught me the following phrase: “consider the source.” Some of “Working Title Films” include: “Pride And Prejudice,” “Nanny McPhee,” “About A Boy,” “Bridget Jones,” “The Translator,” etc. This is not a company that produces typical commercial crap. Most the films from Working Title have been heartfelt, character-driven dramadies. Among their productions is the very heartwarming and successful “Billy Elliot, The Musical” which is playing in London.
Having not yet seen “United 93,” I can only assume it’s a character-driven piece that serves to promote the heroic behavior exhibited by American heroes who knew on that fateful day that they were giving their lives to their country and facing certain death. It’s not a story about war or killing. It’s a bittersweet tragedy. It’s about honor, commitment, bravery and fear. It’s about human behavior. The best and the worst.
It’s unfair to treat all people the same and all movies. To walk out on a trailer merely because of the subject matter and a false assumption is unfair. People like Fox’s Bill will probably criticize the producers of “United 93” for profiting off the victims. The conservative right wants American emotions angry so that we will fight. They fear that a film such as “United 93” will touch our hearts and not enrage us to attack the attackers is a fear that the right labels: liberal.
We all die. What matters is how we live. “United 93” serves to share the lives of a special few, who upon knowing their fate of death, stood tall to honor who they are: true Americans who gave their lives meaning. And “United 93” celebrates that fact.
Like “The Perfect Storm”, will this become all about the movie or the actual event?
There has never to this day been a movie made that did not divert from the actual event for the sake of art or just the limitations of filmaking.
As The Perfect Storm was a farce about what you would think or feel or do while being on a miniscule boat faced with impending death (Heroics? Woo wooing riding up a storm driven tidal wave? Have you ever been on a small boat in even 6 foot seas? I have. Come on, those fishermen were literally uncontrollably defecating in their pants), so this will be also. It is going to irrevocably “color the truth” in whatever way the powers that be determine, for anyone who goes and sees it.
The “movie” will replace the “facts”.
9.
I can’t believe that anyone could think it’s too soon. I for one will never forget nor be afraid to be reminded of the events of that day. If we are trying to forget then it will always be too soon and those who attacked us have already won the battle….
I just watched the movie “United 93” on 4/30/06. It was surreal the feeling everyone had leaving the theatre — to the point that no one made a sound. It took me back to that morning and I for one am a proud American. The courage those passengers showed was second to none. May God bless all the families impacted by 9/11 and may God bless the U.S. I for one believe it will only be a matter of when not if the extremist in the world try to attack us again. I just recently traveled to California from Texas. I believe a lot of Americans have forgotten 9/11. I saw a lot of frustration in the people as they were getting processed through the airport. I bet the family members of the hero’s of United 93 don’t complain but rather welcome the extra security. In making that statement – I also saw a lot of inconsistencies between airports in terms of their practices around security. Are we better today or is there still room for growth? The airports and planes are perhaps safer, but we all need to remember 9/11 – the day that changed the U.S. and the Middle East. Like or dislike the President – he has moved into action and had taken the lead in fighting this war which will remain with us well beyond Bush.