Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (2011)

Directed by: Stephen Daldry | 129 minutes | drama | Actors: Thomas Horn, Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, John Goodman, James Gandolfini, Max von Sydow, Viola Davis, Zoe Caldwell, Jeffrey Wright, Adrian Martinez, Matthew Broadley, Chloe Elaine Scharf, Joseph McKenna, Griffin Newman, Gina Varvaro

Jonathan Safran Foer (Washington DC, 1977) has not yet written many novels, but the Jewish-American writer has already managed to build up a large fan base. His debut novel, the partly autobiographical ‘Everything Is Illuminated’ from 2002, about the search for his roots in Ukraine, has been high on the international bestseller lists and won several literary prizes, including the National Jewish Book Award and the Guardian First Book Award. Liev Schreiber made the book into a film in 2005. In the same year, Safran Foer’s second novel, ‘Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close’ was published. That book also appealed to the public, although the reviews were less favorable than with his debut. ‘Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close’ is about nine-year-old Oskar Schell, who struggles to come to terms with the death of his father. Thomas Schell was killed in the attacks of September 11, 2001, and Safran Foer was criticized for that. He would “exploit” for his own gain the wounds left by the greatest tragedy in recent American history on millions of people.

Despite this strong criticism, a film adaptation was made in 2011. None other than Stephen Daldry (with three Oscar nominations for ‘Billy Elliot’, 2000, ‘The Hours’, 2002 and ‘The Reader’, 2008 not least) took over the direction. Thomas Horn takes on the role of Oskar, who was made a few years older for the film. For an 11-year-old, he is surprisingly wise (it’s not for nothing that he’s been suggested more than once that he might have Asperger’s syndrome) and exceptionally creative. The film starts with the day when he finds a vase in his father’s wardrobe containing an envelope with a key. The envelope has “Black” written on it. Oskar thinks it’s the last riddle his father (Tom Hanks) has left him before that dramatic September 11th. He decides to get to the bottom of it and visit all the Blacks all over New York and ask them if they knew his father. Of course he does this according to a sophisticated schedule. He does not dare to take the bus or the tram and he also finds bridges scary. He tells his mother (Sandra Bullock) nothing about his quest. The only person he lets share in his search is his grandmother’s tenant, an old man (Max von Sydow) who has to deal with his own traumas and therefore can no longer or will not talk. The two develop a special friendship.

Like the novel, the film adaptation of ‘Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close’ also received much criticism. The film is said to be sentimental and manipulative. It could just be that the issue of ‘9/11’ is more sensitive in the United States than in Europe, because the film may indeed send the viewer’s emotions in the desired direction, but you can’t beat this drama by Stephen Daldry with the best really don’t want to name the world. There’s too much talent involved for that. Safran Foer, for example, was involved in the screenplay herself and kept a close eye on the fact that the original story was not deviated too much. With a voice-over he kept Oskar’s wonderful and often hilarious world of thoughts alive. That is of course an ordinary trick, which further pushes the audience away from Oskar, while the strength of the book is precisely that you become one with the boy. Still, it doesn’t really bother us, because Thomas Horn plays a great role. Certainly in the scenes with veteran Max von Sydow, who, even as an eighty-something, still splashes off the screen, without needing words. His look – sometimes serious, often mischievous – speaks volumes. Von Sydow is perhaps the most important reason to give this film a chance. His Oscar nomination was completely deserved.

Whether the nomination that the film received, despite all the criticism, in the category ‘Best film’ was also justifiable, is wisely left open. ‘Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close’ probably didn’t make many end-of-year lists, but this drama by Stephen Daldry doesn’t deserve to be demolished to the ground either. The fact that Daldry gives an already saccharine story an extra sentimental twist could have killed ‘Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close’. Fortunately, others keep the film standing (although there would have been a lot more). The beautiful camera work by Chris Menges gives New York all the space to shine and there are fine bit parts from star actors such as Viola Davis, Jeffrey Wright and John Goodman. But it is Von Sydow who provides the film with a much-needed dose of humor and perspective.