United 93
First screened in May 2006 / Most recently screened in June 2014
Director: Paul Greengrass. Cast: Ben Sliney, Khalid Abdalla, Jamie Harding, Omar Berdouni, Lewis Al Samari, J.J. Johnson, Gary Commock, Trish Gates, Polly Adams, Opal Alladin, Starla Benford, Nancy McDoniel, Christian Clemenson, Peter Hermann, Cheyenne Jackson, David Alan Basche, Daniel Sauli, Erich Redman, Kate Jennings Grant, Chloe Sirene, Tobin Miller, Jeremy Powell, Rich Sullivan, Tony Smith, Patrick St. Esprit, Maj. James Fox, SSgt. Shawna Fox, Gregg Henry, Thomas Roberts, Scott Tourin, Michael Bofshever. Screenplay: Paul Greengrass.

Twitter Capsule: Heart-sickening realism a feat in itself but never exploitative. Glimpse at panicked proficiency on ground another feat.

VOR:   Time capsule of heightened studio realism ca. 2006 and of 9/11 response. Tries to recover embodied experience of discursively-overloaded event. Adventurous, rewarding use of non-actors.



Photo © 2006 Universal Pictures

Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: A–

(in May 2006: B)


Academy Award Nominations:
Best Director: Paul Greengrass
Best Film Editing: Clare Douglas, Richard Pearson, and Christopher Rouse

Other Awards:
New York Film Critics Circle: Best Picture
Los Angeles Film Critics Association: Best Director
National Society of Film Critics: Best Director
Boston Society of Film Critics: Best Ensemble Cast
BAFTA Awards: Best Director; Best Film Editing

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