Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close Review

Director: Stephen Daldry

Cast: Thomas Horn, Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Zoe Caldwell and Max von Sydow

Running time: 129 minutes

Certificate: 12A

Synopsis: 11 year-old Oskar Shell has always been an intellectually inspired boy whose inventive attributes, although brilliant, often cause him to feel isolated from the world around him. A year after his Father dies in the 9/11 attacks, Oskar embarks on an adventure which will force him to confront his loss and darkest fears whilst he struggles to remain connected to the memory of the man whom guided him through confusion and hardship.

Adapted from Jonathan Safran Foer’s bestselling book of the same title, EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE is a sentimental piece that follows young Oskar Shell’s journey through the turbulent and often dangerous boroughs of New York. The emotional intensity of this film is apparent within the first few minutes, as we watch a loving father-son relationship transcend into tragedy, a terrible loss that colours the rest of the film with a sense of despondency. Even though some of the plot twists in this film are arrived at unambiguously, there is a palpable feeling of uncertainty as to whether Oskar will ever overcome the grief associated with his father’s death.

Directing our view through Oskar’s eyes is Stephen Daldry, who is no stranger to novel adaptations for the silver screen, and follows multiple Oscar nominations for his previous film, THE READER. Daldry presents a dense and sprawling modern-day New York, coupled with the age-old confrontation between youthful innocence and the reality of death, all through a child’s perspective. His attention to detail during  a subjective recollection of 9/11, which Oskar calls ‘The worst day’, and the tender moments between him and his father provides us with empathy with Oskar, which may have otherwise been impossible due to his borderline autistic behaviour, which (I hate to say it) was barely tolerable at times.

Script writer Eric Roth injects Oskar with moments of humour, helping to detract from his annoying obsessive qualities, which may otherwise have damaged the character and story’s impact. However, what is most masterfully achieved (and felt) is the sense of camaraderie between Oskar and his father Thomas (Tom Hanks). The scenes in which both characters interact are acute windows into a less obsessive child, one whose issues and social awkwardness can be overcome with his father’s clever use of puzzles, known as ‘reconnaissance expeditions’. When a mysterious key is discovered hidden in within a dark, untouched closet that once belonged to Thomas, Oskar propels himself into discovering the key’s meaning, provoked by the belief that this is one last adventure left to him by his father.

Ultimately this causes Oskar to interact with people and explore beyond his comfort zones, which unfortunately for me, kept Oskar centre screen for the entirety of the movie. Behind the loud-mouthed lead is newcomer actor Thomas Horn, a 13-year-old ‘Kids Jeopardy!’ contestant with all the brains of his fictional counterpart, though I would imagine, significantly less annoying. Whilst Horn does not make us feel compassion toward his character, he certainly delivers a believable performance when dealing with Oskar’s conflicts and works well especially in scenes with Hanks.

In truth it is the connection between Oskar and his parents that delivers some of the best scenes. Most significant is a highly charged confrontation Oskar has with his mother, Linda (Sandra Bullock). The psychological hardship in this dramatic scene highlights the lack of relationship Oskar has with his mother, which paves the way for an obvious plot conclusion.

Whilst EXTREMELY LOUD & INCREDIBLY CLOSE has its obvious and exasperating plot lines, it does do an excellent job in drawing attention and thought to the devastation left in the wake of 9/11, partiularly for families and children. The death of Thomas – and the manner in which his family must pick up the pieces– is undoubtedly emotionally moving.  The only struggle is sympathizing with a unlikeable lead character, something that leaves this film falling short of the mark.

   EXTREMELY LOUD & INCREDIBLY CLOSE is released in the UK 17^th February 2012