United 93

This film just came out on DVD and I finally made myself watch. It wasn’t easy. It’s very emotional and there are obviously disturbing images in it, but it is absolutely captivating. It is very interesting to watch the portions with air traffic control and the chaos that was going on there, not to mention people’s baffled reactions at the thought of a possible hijacking. The portion on the United flight is by far the most difficult part to watch, but you see these actors become the real people who were actually there and it is a very surreal experience to watch since we all know how it ends. That’s what’s peculiar about the film, or any film based on real events; we know what’s going to happen, and in this situation it makes us sick to our stomachs, knowing that these people’s heroic and unimaginable actions aren’t going to end happily. Due to the sensitive subject manner and the respectable way in which it is presented, I think Paul Greengrass has a real shot at the Oscar for directing. Although it’s about time for Scorsese to finally get his, I wouldn’t mind seeing Greengrass win for his unbiased and undramatized work. Also, if you rent this, I recommend that you watch the special feature on the real families and their reactions to the film.