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Tuesday, 16 February 2010

The Best Films of the Zeroes: 35


UNITED 93. (2003)
Directed by Paul Greengrass

Greengrass’ work on the Bourne films are what has set him up as one of the next decade’s most important filmmakers, a director who can handle story, emotion and action as adroitly as he can should never be short of work, especially as the films have become more successful as his involvement has become increasingly pronounced.


It is this film, though, which sandwiched his two blockbusters that he is most likely to be remembered for in the future. It’s a stark, brilliant and haunting film, which manages to make the events of 9/11 as raw, painful and compelling as the day itself.

Greengrass sets the film up like a thriller, dealing with people on the ground while the unthinkable happened; and the people in the air as they come to terms with their imminent demise. The plane that is the focus of the film is the plane that crashed in a field in Pennsylvania.

The impact of the film is increased by Greengrass casting several of the real people involved as themselves, but nothing can compare to the final 30 minutes or so, and the brave resistance of the passengers on the plane, following an acceptance of their fate. It’s devastating stuff, a film that honours those that died on 9/11 in the best possible way, showcasing them as incredibly human victims of a real tragedy; refraining from politicising their deaths, in any way.

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