Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Review: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (2012)

If I’m going to be completely honest here, had I not studied the book in which this film is an adaptation for one of my level two English Literature modules, I probably wouldn’t have looked twice at it. However, I recognised the title as soon as I heard it was due to be released, and made sure I got round to seeing it. I really enjoyed reading the Jonathan Safran Foer novel, so thought the film would be well worth a watch, and it certainly was.

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is a film that deals with the actual event and the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre, as seen through the eyes of a young male protagonist. I don’t recall the book provoking that much emotion in me when I read it, but the film, I’ll admit, had me in tears! The plight of young Oscar Schell, whose father (played by Tom Hanks) dies in the attacks, is thoroughly heart-wrenching.

Around a year after his father’s death, in amongst his possessions, Oscar stumbles across a key and makes it his mission to find the lock that fits the key. His search takes him all over New York on a journey that he hopes will bring him closer to his dad. Unfortunately, that which seems to bring him closer to his dad, drives him and his mother (played by Sandra Bullock) further and further apart.  After everything the characters go through it is thoroughly satisfying that the film ends on a positive note.

Overall I would highly recommend this film – I challenge you, Stag readers, to get to the end of it without shedding a tear, or at least without finding yourself having to hold them back!

Louisa White