A full disclosure before we begin with this one, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. It's the supposedly Oscar Baity story of a precocious young boy in the wake of the 9/11 tragedy, reeling from the loss of his father and roaming the streets of New York City. I have not read the novel that it's based on so the only story I know is what the trailer gives me. In fact, I've never read anything by Jonathan Safron Foer though I really meant to read Everything is Illuminated back when it was the only book I ever saw people reading on the subway. (I miss the days where you had eyeball proof what books were hot; everyone just reads Kindles or IPads on the subway now so the visual hive mind is no longer illuminated. Sigh).
Introducing... Thomas Horn
Finally, I am generally emotionally resistant to 9/11 narratives because most of them cheapen the actual memories of that day or 'reduce them to anecdotes' as Ouisa Kittredge might say. To me ... I should add, even though it's implicit in all opinion-pieces, because I get that we all respond to button-pushing shared histories differently.
So take the following for what it's worthy as we break down the trailer in our usual "do we want a ticket?" way:
YES -reasons the trailer illuminates for wanting to see it right now.
NO - things the trailer makes us nervous about.
MAYBE SO - things that leave us uncertain or seem like they could go either way.
YES
- In several shots the movie suggests it has a real visual identity which is a huge plus for movies based on non-visual material. It looks beautifully lit, too (Two-time Oscar winner Chris Menges so we're in good hands.)
- Love all the shots of maps both in the background or as the main focus... especially if it's about exploring this world in which we live.
- Thomas Horn in the lead role of Oskar Schell appears to be a find as child actors go. At least his face is expressive and natural in these two minutes.
- The ashy cloud moments and Oskar's heartbreaking "are you there, Dad?" whisper
- Touchy feely stories about our collective humanity are totally needed -- provided they're done well -- given collective cynicism and the restless "every man for himself!" right-wing anger we're so bombarded with all the time.
- Max von Sydow !!!
- Sandra Bullock's post-Oscar role. Hey, give her credit: it's not Catwoman or Aeon Flux!
- "From the Director of The Hours and Billy Elliott"... People (at least internet people) became very angry with Stephen Daldry when The Reader hit and especially because it hit with Oscar, but he's a good director. And why wouldn't you want to see another movie "from the director of The Hours and Billy Elliot". I mean, they're both goodies. And one of them we all still obsess over if comment tallies any time you say "The Hours" can be trusted.
- Speaking of: If Thomas Horn is half as good here as Jamie Bell was in Billy Elliot...
NO
- Wait. Two holiday movies about adolescent boys with magical keys? (see also: Hugo. Or don't)
- Part of the point of the story is obviously Oskar's idolization of his father... but given that, and that there's a certain arrogant expectation that we all idolize Tom Hanks, the casting feels a little lazy or a little manipulative.
- I love Viola Davis but given how well her career is going does she really have to take every tiny part offered? This looks like the kind of part she would always take around 2000-2003. I mean there are a TON of underemployed black actresses who could have used the money for what looks like a bit next door neighbor part. I mean does Viola even care that Lynn Whitfield and Kimberly Elise and [insert name here] gotta pay their mortgages, too?* Do any actors worry about over-exposure anymore? It seems to be a worry of the past as film stars go. (Trust that they used to worry about it. Some stars even had strict "only one film a year" policies.)
- The touchy-feely humanity could really grate... especially if the musical choices are this screamingly obvious and musty with sentiment in the actual movie.
- Little boy narration. Blech. Show, don't tell.
MAYBE SO
- A little precocity goes a long long way.
How about you? Did you tear up while watching the trailer or did the sentiment make you dry heave? Are you a 'yes, no, or maybe so'? Are you any of those emphatically? And we have to talk Oscar, we do. This trailer gives me strong All or Nothing vibes.
*I'm joking. Other people's careers are not Viola's responsibility so don't bite my head off like you do when I say the same thing about Meryl Streep ;). But it's just a Film Experience pet peeve about actors who are in everything while everyone else would attack each crumb like it was their Oscar role. Spread the wealth a little casting directors!