| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Movie Name | WORLD TRADE CENTER (2006) |
| Director | Oliver Stone |
| Writer | Andrea Berloff, John McLoughlin, Donna McLoughlin |
| Lead Actor | Brad Garrett |
| Cast | Nicolas Cage, Michael Peña, Maria Bello |
| Genre | Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Family, Fantasy |
| Release Date | August 9, 2006 (United States) |
| Duration | 2h 9m(129 min) |
| Budget | $65 million |
| Language | English |
| IMDB Rating | 6.0/10 |
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REVIEW
This Oliver Stone film is moving, cathartic and difficult to experience. John McLoughlin (Nicolas Cage) and Will Jimeno (Michael Peña) are Port Authority cops who become trapped when the World Trade Center collapses on September 11, 2001. Donna McLoughlin (Maria Bello) and Allison Jimeno (Maggie Gyllenhaal) are their wives, anxious to hear good news.
I saw three different theological dimensions in this film. First is the sacramental the external signs of invisible realities of grace. As the men lay pinned under concrete, almost smothered by debris and burned by flames, Will has visions of Jesus handing him water. The men try to pray the Our Father together. We see the crucifix that hangs on the wall in Will’s home several times his mother prays the Rosary.
The second aspect, and deeper meaning, occurred to me when the rescuers lift McLoughlin through what looks like the opening of a grave, amidst cheers.
The way of the cross takes place as John and Will risk their lives for others, not knowing if they will survive. During their struggle, they pray to God, expressing love for the ones they would leave behind should they die. We, the audience, need to see the hope of resurrection and redemption in the face of 9/11, and this film helps us.
The third theological aspect is the confused and misdirected theology of Sgt. Karnes (Michael Shannon), which gives voice to a Christian flavored patriotism enflamed by vengeance rather than the love of God and forgiveness. In the entire New Testament, there is never talk of avenging Jesus’ death.
But after 9/11, the Christian-sounding ideology and rhetoric of vengeance permeates our culture. The theological clash expressed so well in this film is something Christians in America need to address if we are to give life to a culture of peace never mind democracy.
World Trade Center is a way to go back to 9/11 and, despite the movie’s flaws noted by others (the filmmakers missed the fact that the real Staff Sgt. Thomas is an African American), it was a necessary journey of the spirit.
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