Review of Backdraft (1991) by Greg M — 21 Feb 2010

This movie hits home for me having experienced a fire's affect up close and personal trying to get others out of a smoked-filled building; then learning afterward that the institution's own fire investigation resulted in a finding of arson and then wondering which member of our trusted community may have started it - only to be confronted with the fact that the arsonist was allowed access. A strange twist of events.

This movie has a thought-provoking plot with a cast of actors and actresses that have achieved brilliance in their own write. Sutherland's character is rather freaky, playing an inmate with an innate sense of what triggers an arsonist. Unfortunately, Kurt Russell's trusting lead role of his department does not achieve enlightenment until De Niro's internal investigation begins to take shape and the arsonist is revealed.