Review of Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (2011) by Chantal V — 04 Jul 2014

When I read negative reviews, I can usually understand where the reviewer is coming from. I might not agree at all, but often it's a "yeah I can see that if you're not into such-and-such, this would not be your thing". In this case, I'm gobsmacked. I've read about 20 negative reviews because I seriously could not believe the low rating and was very interested in the why. I've read the why's. I still don't understand. I've read something about the story being thin. Uhm... 9/11, possible Asperger, WWII all rolled into one could not possibly be thin. There's also a lot of criticism about the way of filming, that I happen to find particularly beautiful. And then, the criticism about the lack of realism - a boy goes around town looking for something and people actually open their doors? Lack of realism! A. I happen to think a lot of people WILL open their doors and B. it's a movie, people. A movie. Doesn't need to be real.

I had a bit of a problem with the book. Not sure why, but it didn't get to me. The movie did, in a big way. The story, the sensitivity, the sadness, the beauty, the atmospheric way of shooting that enhances the 'feels', the impressive wonderful acting by basically everybody... in my opinion, it's a work of art. A profound, sad, beautiful, reflective and thoroughly moving treasure hunt.