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Adapted from the acclaimed bestseller by Jonathan Safran Foer, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is a story that unfolds from inside the young mind of Oskar Schell, an inventive eleven year-old New Yorker whose discovery of a key in his deceased father’s belongings sets him off on an urgent search across the city for the lock it will open. A year after his father died in the World Trade Center on what Oskar calls “The Worst Day,” he is determined to keep his vital connection to the man who playfully cajoled him into confronting his wildest fears. Now, as Oskar crosses the five New York boroughs in quest of the missing lock-–encountering an eclectic assortment of people who are each survivors in their own way--he begins to uncover unseen links to the father he misses, to the mother who seems so far away from him and to the whole noisy, dangerous, discombobulating world around him.
Special Features
Finding Oskar
Special Features
Finding Oskar
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
42 of 43 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is an unusual film about a boy - who is clearly a very unusual boy. Previous review described the boy as 'annoying' ... i think they have missed the point of the character. The boy is intense and would clearly be classed as very high functioning autistic (which is briefly mentioned in the film) - i didn't find him annoying at all, i found him charming and very moving. Highly intelligent but struggles with people and his own emotions. His father works with him constantly to encourage him to interact with people and face situations he (the boy) thinks he can't cope with. They play games, invent games with clues to be solved - and are just so close. Then it happens - that day. After that the boy has to cope without his dad and this story is the boy trying to move on, trying to cope with so much going on in his brain, trying to cope with his grief. The mum seems to be distant, not at all close with her son but really (and obviously ) she understands her sons problems and this will become clear. Its not a typical film about a child, this is a child with emotional problems - suberbly acted and i really enjoyed it.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Fantasy Lore
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:DVD|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
Having not read the book on which this film is based, I can't comment on how faithful it is to the novel, but on its own merits the film version of `Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close' is a well-made, satisfying and moving movie outing.
Having watched the film, I suspect the novel is superior, because the story doesn't really lend itself to a feature film; there is a final fulfilling climax, but not enough story conflict along the way to make it thoroughly gripping at every stage of Oskar's journey. In particular Oskar's unrealistic autonomy is a sticking point, and although this is eventually explained, this along with other unlikely events doesn't ground the production in the reality that you feel would have best served the material and made for a more profound experience. But that's not to say it isn't fantastically shot, directed and acted, because it is.
Although I do feel some criticism of the casting of Oskar's parents to be warranted, because (even though they do a very good job) actors with more range and on-screen presence than Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock would no doubt have made this story even more impactful and poignant.
In spite of the years that have passed since 11th September 2001 the use of the tragedy of that day as the main focal point for this story is no less effective. The occasional (somewhat) graphic representational shots of the fates of some of the people in the World Trade Centers on that day will surely be traumatic for some viewers, especially those directly effected, but I think the film-makers have balanced that sensitively with the touching nature of Oskar's quest and the final sharing of pain and joy between Oskar and his mother at their memory of their lost loved one.
Having watched the film, I suspect the novel is superior, because the story doesn't really lend itself to a feature film; there is a final fulfilling climax, but not enough story conflict along the way to make it thoroughly gripping at every stage of Oskar's journey. In particular Oskar's unrealistic autonomy is a sticking point, and although this is eventually explained, this along with other unlikely events doesn't ground the production in the reality that you feel would have best served the material and made for a more profound experience. But that's not to say it isn't fantastically shot, directed and acted, because it is.
Although I do feel some criticism of the casting of Oskar's parents to be warranted, because (even though they do a very good job) actors with more range and on-screen presence than Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock would no doubt have made this story even more impactful and poignant.
In spite of the years that have passed since 11th September 2001 the use of the tragedy of that day as the main focal point for this story is no less effective. The occasional (somewhat) graphic representational shots of the fates of some of the people in the World Trade Centers on that day will surely be traumatic for some viewers, especially those directly effected, but I think the film-makers have balanced that sensitively with the touching nature of Oskar's quest and the final sharing of pain and joy between Oskar and his mother at their memory of their lost loved one.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By A. Chell
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
When Stephen Daldry's drama about a young boy trying to come to terms with the loss of his father was first released, the critics savaged it. Those that gave it more than one star damned it as "Oscar bait" and, indeed, Max von Sydow's non-speaking performance was, bizarrely, nominated for an Academy Award.
Very few people, however, took the time to look closely at the central performance by young Thomas Horn, who manages to carry the whole film despite never having acted before. Less charitable viewers have described his character as annoying, with too many irritating quirks; I disagree. Having some experience of being in the presence of children with autism, I recognised some of the classic traits in the character of Oskar - a precociously bright, single-minded child who finds it difficult to relate to others and who needs the world around him to make sense. In the script, Oskar even mentions that he'd had tests for Asperger's syndrome but that the results were "inconclusive".
There is a fairly thick layer of schmaltz overlaying the film and Sandra Bullock, playing Oskar's mother is criminally underused, but this is a film that draws you into its - or more precisely Oskar's - world so fully that you're compelled to watch it to its conclusion.
It most definitely isn't a film for everyone, but if you think it might be your type of film, it's worth a few quid just to marvel at the central performance. There is a section in the middle that slows the film down, and that's the reason I can't stretch to a four-star rating, but it's most definitely a solid three-and-a-bit.
Very few people, however, took the time to look closely at the central performance by young Thomas Horn, who manages to carry the whole film despite never having acted before. Less charitable viewers have described his character as annoying, with too many irritating quirks; I disagree. Having some experience of being in the presence of children with autism, I recognised some of the classic traits in the character of Oskar - a precociously bright, single-minded child who finds it difficult to relate to others and who needs the world around him to make sense. In the script, Oskar even mentions that he'd had tests for Asperger's syndrome but that the results were "inconclusive".
There is a fairly thick layer of schmaltz overlaying the film and Sandra Bullock, playing Oskar's mother is criminally underused, but this is a film that draws you into its - or more precisely Oskar's - world so fully that you're compelled to watch it to its conclusion.
It most definitely isn't a film for everyone, but if you think it might be your type of film, it's worth a few quid just to marvel at the central performance. There is a section in the middle that slows the film down, and that's the reason I can't stretch to a four-star rating, but it's most definitely a solid three-and-a-bit.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing!
Love this film so much. its wonderful to find out about a different way of seeing the world through the eyes of a child.
Published 8 days ago by moopdymoo
5.0 out of 5 stars
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
This is an amazing film which keeps you glued to the screen until the end.
An extraordinary cast, Sandra Bullock at her best in a dramatic role. Read more
An extraordinary cast, Sandra Bullock at her best in a dramatic role. Read more
Published 13 days ago by Visa
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lovely film
I love Tom Hanks films. Easy watch, great for all the family. I loved it so much i bought a copy for my niece to watch.
Published 17 days ago by valerie mackinlay
4.0 out of 5 stars
Watching over you
This was a sad but happy film which explores life after you leave someone. The characters were nice and the story well acted out. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Owl
5.0 out of 5 stars
great movie
Lovely movie good for all ages! )brillient cast and production.had a good twist to the story line. And was sent to me in good time.
Published 1 month ago by Lucy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tom Hanks at his best
First saw this at the cinima could not wait for its release to dvd. Stars are good especally Tom Hanks who can play any charactor with belief. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Lynne Maddison
5.0 out of 5 stars
great
great story original. shows goodness to come out of a tragedy. it was a tear jerker. i would recommend as not often you get original great stories
Published 2 months ago by Mr. R. Hudson
5.0 out of 5 stars
breathtaking
this film is fantastically made, and doesn't completely revolve around the twin tower attacks. the story line for this family does feature the attack but does not focus on it. Read more
Published 2 months ago by trev25
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant , Stunning, Powerful and a Beautiful film.
Story based in the immediate post 9/11 period in New York City.
When an autistic eleven year old Oskar Schell (Thomas Horn) slowly comes to terms that his father (Tom... Read more
When an autistic eleven year old Oskar Schell (Thomas Horn) slowly comes to terms that his father (Tom... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Mr. K. J. Hayward
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tom Hanks film
You really have to watch this one!
I tried the book, but got no-where, so couldn't wait for the film to come out.
I tried the book, but got no-where, so couldn't wait for the film to come out.
Published 2 months ago by Julie Peet
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