So I watched the movie Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, the heartbreaking story of a young boy named Oskar Schell. Oskar's father, Thomas, is a loving family man who gave up his dream of being a scientist to be a jeweller so that he could support his family. However, he still teaches plenty to his son; Oskar adores his father, and constantly goes on learning "expeditions" that Thomas meticulously plans for him.
Until 9/11, of course. When Thomas was in one of the WTC Towers for a random meeting. Oskar comes home early that day from school, to hear the last messages his father would leave on the phone.
And that was just the set-up! (and I'll admit, tough to get through.)
But then the movie follows it up with . . . well, nothing much. Oskar, one year later, finds a key in an envelope in one of Thomas's old coats, as well as a newspaper clipping that says "Never stop looking", so he takes this as a sign to find out what the key is supposed to unlock, figuring this to be the last part of his father's expedition. As the envelope says "Black" on it, he decides to look up everyone in New York named "Black" (ie: A lot of people), and ask them if they know what the key is for.
So he goes out, every Saturday, to a couple of people named Black to see if they know anything about the key. And this is the point where the story begins to stretch itself thin.
He goes out and meets some people. Nice little montage. Then he'd have some time with the people around him (Mom, Grandma, Grandma's Renter), then he'd go out and meet some people. Repeat Ad nauseam.
I don't know what to say. It isn't bad, necessarily, it just goes for longer than it should. The ending is a little disappointing, and doesn't give as much closure as you'd like.
So, I'd say 2 1/2 out of 5 Stars. Not bad, but not great either. Don't watch if you don't like being at least a little bit sad.
P.S. FIRST!
