For once the movie is doing justice to the book on which it's based. Which is to say that the movie version of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close looks to be just as tedious, manipulative and generally nauseating as the book. Although at least the book didn't come with a U2 soundtrack.
My views on the book have only gotten more negative with time. The movie doesn't help. This kid looks like an unfunny Milhouse van Houten, or a sissified version of Jason Schwartzman from Rushmore. (Which makes me wonder, is Jason Schwartzman a sexy Milhouse?) Not that I'm blaming the actor. Much like for his icredi-bad "pet project" Larry Crowne, shame has got to be placed on Tom Hanks, who exectutive produced this whopper load of schmaltz. Plus it's advertising is already totes offending a lot of New Yorkers for, like, putting videos of the Twin Towers burning right near Ground Zero. Sensitive.
Which doesn't surprise me, the book mines every feel good cliche there is. For instance, did you spot the wise black people? The reclusive old man with a meaningful history? Not only is it contain to mine the emotional maelstrom that is 9/11, it has to bring in the Holocaust too. It would be amusing if it weren't so tirelessly earnest.
I find the below to be both a perfect summary and a better viewing experience:
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