Greengrass's DVD commentary includes smart ruminations on everything from the hijackers' act of hijacking the tolerant tenets of Islam to his decision to cut the original opening scene set in Osama bin Laden's camp in impoverished Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
John Powell's harrowing soundtrack builds upon the existing tension in subtle ways. Ubiquitous throughout the film is his thumping, pulsating, reverberating bass drum intended to mimic a heartbeat. This audio technique, often used in the soundtracks of thrillers, frightfests, and action films, seems entirely unnecessary here. Indeed, my own heartbeat was pulsing at the tempo of a drum and bass song, while the United 93 soundtrack was marching to a funeral dirge.
While United 93 is not the exploitative movie-of-the-week some predicted, it isn't exactly the best tribute to the flight's victims. That's because the DVD contains a bonus documentary capturing many of the actors meeting with the families of the victims whom they're portraying. Whereas the film is a tribute to the courage of ordinary humans, the DVD bonus doc, directed by Kate Solomon, is a moving eulogy to the victims and a fitting testimonial to the grief their families continue to endure.
In one scene, Daniel Sauli, the actor who plays Richard Guadagno in the film, shows up to Richard's family's house. One by one, we watch Richard's family get closer to closure from the experience. Richard's sister talks about the struggle between protecting her brother's privacy and keeping his legacy alive. Ultimately, she concludes she's "grateful that Richard will not be an invisible passenger in the film." In an eerie and painfully moving moment, Richard's family notes how Daniel is wearing similar things to what Richard used to wear and remarks how "handsome" he is. When Daniel, the actor, cries, I can't imagine any viewer not shedding tears.
In another moving moment, actress Trieste Dunne meets with the family of Deora Bodley, whom Dunne portrays. Deora's family and friends lovingly share how they carry Deora's ashes with them, read parts of her journal, and discuss how they had to tell the FBI about her tattoos to identify her body.
Since not all 40 victims' families are included, I can't help but wonder whether some objected, dissented, or otherwise hesitated to support a commercial movie documenting their loved ones' tragic death. Nonetheless, on the DVD documentary, nearly everyone interviewed makes clear they want this film to be seen so their loved ones' memories are preserved. I wholeheartedly concur with the sentiment.
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Article comments
1 - handyguy
The movie of the year. I hope a whole lot of people who shied away from seeing this in a theater will now rent it. It's one of the best pieces of sheer craft and intensity I've ever experienced.