May 19th, 2006
A quick word on United 93
Today I had what I can only describe as a unique cinema experience. I went to see Paul Greengrass’ United 93 and I have to say I’m still feeling the effects. When the credits rolled, my stomach did exactly the same thing and for a couple of hours afterwards, I felt queasy and unsettled. All the journos emerged bleary with relief, into the daylight calm of the Savoy, all of us taking deep breaths amid mutterings of “holy shit”.
United 93 is stunning, harrowing and brilliantly made and I can’t remember the last time a film affected me this way. In fact, it didn’t feel like I was watching a film, but viewing a documented piece of historical footage with huge emotional resonance. Greengrass manages to evoke horror and pathos without sensationalism, and is masterfully respectful of the film’s context.
Highly, highly recommended. I’ll post a full review nearer the release date here.
May 19th, 2006 at 3:39 pm
So, you don’t think Flight 93 will be offered as on-board entertainment then?
May 19th, 2006 at 3:41 pm
Bernie, there’s NO WAY they could ever show this in-flight.
During it, I actually had a fleeting thought about being glad I’m not flying anywhere this weekend. It’s honestly that affecting.
May 19th, 2006 at 9:37 pm
I don’t think I could bear to watch it. My parents were living in DC on September 11th and if that plane had reached its likely target it would have landed just a few hundred yards from where my dad was working (or possibly on his workplace itself, which was a prime terrorist target). Also, I am really, really scared of flying. So the combination of father’s potential horrible death/personal fear of plane crashes would probably be too much for me.
June 6th, 2006 at 9:22 pm
I watched the film yesterday, sort of because nothing else was on, and must confess was stunned. I have never experienced such a creeping feeling of dread whilst watching a film before. I think because the whole world watched the events unfold “live” on television that a certain amount of de-sensitisation to the shocking events of that day would have kicked in whilst watching Greengrass’ film. This didn’t happen. A brilliant, essential and very moving film.