United 93 (2006)

Location: AMC Loews Waterfront
Seen Before: No
Rating: 5.0

I wasn't sure if seeing this actually interested me, due to two concerns: would this be too difficult to watch and would the filmmakers be able to make a film both true to what happened and satisfactory in terms of a good piece of cinema?

A big "yes" to them both. Paul Greengrass and company have crafted a film completely terrifying and honest, managing to concentrate 110% on what matters most--the story. The acting, through use of no-names (or individuals playing themselves) working with completely life-like and unpolished dialogue, practically manages to break down the cinema facade by making you feel like these events are unfolding before your eyes--and it's almost too real. Consisting of almost soley handheld camerawork, Greengrass pushes it too far in the first act by applying zooms and shakes where they are completely unmotivated, but, of course, these soon come in handy when all Hell breaks loose.

No one involved is there to be showy or preachy--no stars, no big musical crescendos or hyper scores, no pretentions--I can't believe this came out of Hollywood. I never thought I'd say this, but Flight 93 is one of the best films I've seen this year.