COLUMN: ‘Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close’ strays from book
“Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” does not deserve the negative feedback it has been getting. It does not measure up to the novel it was based on, but I found it entertaining and extremely enjoyable.
“Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” is one of my favorite books. It is funny, charming, heartfelt, creative and artistic. The movie, however, failed to meet such high standards. If I had seen the movie without reading the book, I would have gladly given the movie an A. Unfortunately, I have praised the Jonathan Safran Foer novel for years. Originally, I was disappointed they were going to make a movie from it. Usually, books are far better off without movies.
I like to keep my favorite things on the down-low, so I can be selfish and be the only one that knows about it. For instance, the movie “Mr. Nobody” is one of my favorite films in the entire world. It is only offered in Europe right now. It won’t be released in the U.S. for a while — if at all. I am OK with that. I rave about this movie to a select few, knowing that they will never see it but wish they could. That is how I feel about “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.” Now that it is made into a movie, everyone will see it and like it without even thinking about the existence of the novel that came first.
The story is about Oskar, a young boy whose father dies in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. His father-son relationship was unfailing. They were each other’s best friends and were extremely close. Oskar’s father planned expeditions for Oskar to get out of his comfort zone and talk to people and have an adventure.
When his father dies, Oskar finds a key in a blue vase hidden on the top shelf of his father’s untouched closet. The key was enveloped in a small pouch with the word “Black” written on it. Oskar decides to find the lock to the key in order to keep him closer to his dad a little bit longer. The entire two hours of the movie is dedicated to Oskar’s adventure, self-discovery and growth. While facing his fears, creating relationships and mending old ones, he finds himself content — maybe even a little happy.
For those of you that have read “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close,” you know that there is nothing but originality and art throughout the entire book. To come up with a story about such a unique little boy with a unique heart and mind is unfathomable. I have always considered many works of fiction to be incredible show pieces of literary magnificence, but never before had I considered a novel art.
Foer has done an incredible job telling a story around the events of 9/11 that captured the minds of thousands of people. One of the most disappointing parts of this movie was realizing the movie could not possibly pack in everything the novel could in just under two hours.
On the other hand, director Stephen Daldry had an extremely keen eye for the aesthetics and his good sense of direction was depicted in the film.
With Golden Globe winners Sandra Bullock and Tom Hanks, “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” was given an extra edge. I don’t have much to say about Hanks, because he played just a small part. Bullock, however, gets better each and every time I see her. Her character portrayal was incredibly accurate. Spot on, Bullock, spot on. Her acting was one of the reasons I got that infamous tingling in my nose and blurry vision. But the real tearjerker and star of this flick was Oskar, played by Thomas Horn. He is exactly what I envisioned for Oskar — clever, paranoid, extremely uncomfortable and incredibly smart. I think a nomination is in order for little Thomas.
Though the book was incredibly clever and extremely enjoyable, “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” was a decent film as well. It is worth any praise it has already received and deserves more than what has been said here.
– anike.pullens@aggiemail.usu.edu