United 93

I’d been looking forward to seeing United 93 for a while. Ever since I heard Glenn Beck’s review of his pre-screening (a review which he barely got through due to his breaking down on air about six times). True, Glenn doesn’t need much to trigger an on-air break-down. Just get him talking about his family or the lessons he’s had to learn the hard way while battling drugs and alcohol. He does tend to come off as an overly sensative guy. But, you can bet when Glenn breaks down, it’s about all the right stuff!

I went to see United 93 on Monday night with Kristin and one of her minions ( … or are they menions?). Man! What a crazy intense film! Even knowing the outcome … you’re jittery as a double-espresso high on the edge of your seat as the unwitting ineptitude of our nation’s flight traffic control unfolds … and unfolds … and unfolds before you. And there’s nothing to do but watch. Watch and wish you hadn’t brought so much soda in with you.

By far out-weighing the anxiety of this film is the humbling awe you have for the stark heroism of the passengers of United 93. These, unlike the thousands of innocents in the towers without a choice, thought they had a way out. Yet, left utterly alone in the face of an uncertain choice, with the barest glimmer of survival ahead, they chose a certain death for themselves rather than risk the probable deaths of hundreds more.

For all the seriousness of this docudrama, I did find myself laughing at a few key points.

There’s one point where after much chasing and fumbling around to get the go-ahead from the FAA to put war birds over Manhattan, one of the chief controllers is finally on the phone with someone who can get ‘em up. The only clue that he’s finally got the Commander and Chief goes something like … ‘Hello … Yes Sir. [deferential tone] … That’s my question Sir. What do we do now?’

Aaaah, Thanks for that, Bush.

Then, in the plane, when the passengers are discussing what to do now that they’ve been thoroughly terrorized and probably hijacked,, you get a bad whiff from across the pond. I mean you’re just so perfectly down-wind, you can’t help but laugh. It’s a European of some stripe who stands up and says, ‘No. Don’t do this. If we just talk to them and give them what they want, they will let us go and we can all get home safely!’

So here’s a link to more reviews. I’m telling you, everyone should see this film. At least everyone who’s not already been irreparably touched by the truths of 9/11 2001. Consider it your duty as an American or as a citizen of the world at large.