I wasn't going to see this film. It wasn't because of the subject matter exactly, only remotely. Anyone who knows me, knows I hate to fly. Sometimes I get so anxious that it almost paralyzes me. Sometimes I pop a couple Xanax. My main issue with going to see this film was that it concerned four forced plane crashes. So, after my volleyball game Saturday, I decided just to go see what was playing since it was gray and rainy outside. When I arrived at the cinema, the only film that was about to begin was United 93.
The film itself was very well portrayed and my hats off to all those involved including actual individuals involved on the day in question. There were actual military and FAA personel in the film portraying themselves as they acted on 9/11. The film's main focus was a fictionalized account of what may have happened on United flight 93 that day and was built out of the collected phone conversations made to family and friends from the plane before it went down. According to the film, the passengers never intended to just crash the plane but had hoped to regain control of it and land. Unfortunately, the complete mayhem that ensued whilst they were fighting back against the highjackers is (in this fictionalized account) what caused the plane to crash.
Watching this, seeing the desperation and fear of the passengers, was so intense that now, at midnight, I can't sleep because of the sound of planes going by overhead. It's like being freaked out after a horror film and every little sound gives you the creeps. Of course, I also asked a couple of friends if I could come out to visit this summer and fall. That is, fly out. I have flown since 9/11 but after seeing this film I feel as freaked out about it as I did right after 9/11. The question is, would I recommend this film to anyone else. Definitely. Just be prepared. And if you're not ready, if it's too soon for you, don't go. It's film, it'll wait.
