Media/Arts

Aug. 17, 2006

‘World Trade Center’ focuses on role of faith in 9/11

Bumper stickers encouraging the remembrance of the New York City policemen and firefighters — who died heroically while serving those trapped in the World Trade Center towers — are commonplace in the five years since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Discussions of where one was and what one was doing when he or she learned of the attacks are still a normal topic of conversation.

In the film “World Trade Center” (Paramount) director Oliver Stone tells the “where and what” story of two New York Police Officers who charged into the heart of the tragedy now commonly known as 9/11.

The film stars Nicholas Cage and Michael Peña as Sergeant John McLoughlin and Officer Will Jimeno, respectively, of the Port Authority — two of only 20 people that were pulled from the rubble of the collapsed World Trade Center towers.

Both men lived to tell their personal 9/11 tale and co-wrote “World Trade Center” with their wives and first time screenwriter Andrea Berloff, creating a movingly honest recounting of the story they share.

“World Trade Center” is difficult to watch for any person with a vivid memory of the fateful September day; however, Stone tactfully handles the details of the calamity. The only large images of the buildings collapsing are shown through television screens replaying news footage from that time. The scope of the account is narrowly focused on tMcLoughlin and Jimeno, a decision that allows the film to focus on the 9/11 story without becoming overwhelming for the audience.

Most notably, the film is honest. The spirituality of both the main characters and supporting characters is emphasized, especially as they deal with the possibility of death.

Prayers are included in the dialogue along with a general acknowledgement of God. A vision of Jesus Christ even plays a pivotal role in the film as one officer begins to slip away. The man who leads the rescue of McLoughlin and Jimeno consults with his pastor about feeling “called” to serve the victims of 9/11.

The police officers do not run fearlessly into the building and only a handful of officers offer to help as the story begins. While the characters featured in the film are unquestionably heroic, Stone does not force that vision on the viewer, but allows the audience to discover heroism throughout the film.

Relationships are a central theme as the connection between coworkers, men, husband and wife, families and Americans are all touched upon in the film.

The acting in “World Trade Center” is fantastic, especially considering how compelling Cage and Peña manage to remain throughout the scenes featuring the two as immobile and masked in darkness. Maggie Gyllenhaal, in particular, and Maria Bello are outstanding as the wives of the trapped police officers.

The film is the true story of two men that found themselves in the middle of American history while they were doing their job. Although the special effects are impressive and the acting well done, there seems to be as small an amount of Hollywood as possible in this tale of recent history and tragedy.

It would be hard for most Americans not to be touched by a film that deals so tactfully and genuinely with an event as recent and poignant as the attacks on the World Trade Center towers. “World Trade Center” tugs on heartstrings and has all the ingredients of a blockbuster, but that should certainly not be held against a film with a message of faith, community and hope for the good in the world.

The film is explicit about the benefits of faith and family while honoring the heroes of 9/11. And there is not much more one can hope for in a film of any genre, much less a film with a subject of such intensity.

Rebecca Bostic is a regular contributor to The Catholic Sun.

CNS photo/Paramount Pictures
Nicolas Cage stars as Port Authority policeman John McLoughlin in the movie “World Trade Center” from director Oliver Stone.

‘World Trade Center’

The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.