In a fit of something to do in the evenings we watch [imdb:Flight 93] and I beg you all not to bother. They have spent so much time making it a sensitive portrayal of events that there is little of artistic, creative and political merit to make it a worthwhile endeavour. If you want to watch a bleary tearfest and top up your fear of flying then go ahead, but I am left feeling that there should be more of an attempt made to question the actions of the terrorists and the great unanswered question of what the fsck America thought was going to happen when they behave like the fattest, greediest kid in the playground?
The film gives you a stunted, heavily edited for the sake of Good Taste and Middle of the Road documentary making, view of what the people directly involved with this ill-fated flight lived through, a claustrophic picture of their world and the horror America felt when the Middle East jumped up and said hello.
Personally, I think it is slightly irresponsible of the film makers to avoid any sort of political agenda whatsoever, when here is a perfect platform and a captive audience. While it may be great for nostalgic tears, there is too much room for a rekindling of the ignorant fear-mongering that occured around 9/11 itself. The idea that the attacks were out of the blue and that America was innocent. In this sense, perhaps the film is just too accurate.
I mean no offense to the American people, well I mean offense to all those who appeared on our screens saying 'why? What did WE do?' But not to the people on that plane. They had balls. It does make you wonder what went on in the other planes that morning.
The basic human element, the fear, sadness and need for survival is portrayed in a powerful way and you do feel that the passengers are acting the best way they can - to protect others, knowing that all hope for themselves is already lost. This is the real point of the film but it just ends up feeling empty and that it is trying too hard to keep too many people happy. A cynic would say this is because of the money they will make, given the subject.
Still, there are more interesting things to get wound up about. Like why America is being so stupid over Iran at the moment, or why we're allowing our troops to behave like they're in 'Nam over in Iraq and Afghanistan.
For our one year anniversary we watch [imdb:Madagascar], which is a great film and has some jokes about poo in it.
