Extremely Loud &
Incredibly Close

It's a movie you have heard a great deal about, but haven't had a chance to see, since it has been withheld from 99% of country until this week. Luckily, the wait was worth it for those who aren't afraid to let some emotion creep into their movie going experience.

Thomas Horn stars as Oskar Schell - a troubled 9-year old boy still suffering from the loss of his father, Thomas (Tom Hanks), who was a victim of the September 11th terrorist attacks. Thomas and Oskar had a special bond forged by the father's efforts to create adventures and mysteries for Oskar to solve, which would help him develop social skills he lacked.

Now, a year later, as he goes through his father's belongings, Oskar finds a vase with a key in it. Only in an envelope with a last name on it, Oskar thinks the key is part of what could be the last puzzle his father gave him to solve, and he is off to find the lock this key will open, while confronting a horrible secret he has been holding on to for far too long.

Who is the rightful owner of this key?

What will the key unlock?

Can Oskar come to grips with the events of September 11th?

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close is one of the most emotional movies you will ever see in your life. When all of us hardened, jaded, soulless critics saw it a few weeks ago, you could hear the audible tears and sniffling throughout the theater (even I had one manly tear running down my unshaven cheek).

Most of this is because of Horn. You will hear many disagreements about his performance, but I think it was fantastic. Oskar is not a happy little moppet. He is an annoying kid with some serious emotional and social troubles, so watching Horn being prickly or overbearing exactly is who he needs to be.

You will believe when you witness the scenes where a frantic, manic Oskar is going through a litany of thoughts. His rantings, ravings, and tensions all give us insight into his mind and soul that wouldn't be possible if Horn pulled back one inch.

Often, I rail against the use of September 11th as a storytelling device or a cheap way to get emotion out of the audience, but in Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, it is one of the rare times when its use is needed. As Oskar goes from person to person, the only way most of these New Yorkers would give the kid the time of day would be because he lost his father in the Twin Towers.

It is one of the few connecting bonds between all Americans, and, especially, New Yorkers. A kid who shows up at your door step claiming to solve a puzzle given to him by his father who died on September 11th is met with sympathy and help, instead of having the door slammed in his face.

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close is making a late run at Oscar glory, but has what it takes to be a nominee when they are announced on January 24.

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close is rated PG-13 for emotional thematic material, some disturbing images, and language.