Review of Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (2011) by Richard B — 18 Jan 2013

REAL FAKE.

Forget the blundering criticism of this moving film version of Jonathan Safran Foer's source novel. Obviously, most of these critics are unfamiliar with this singular tale of grief. It concerns young Oscar Schell, who has some form of Asperger's syndrome, coming to terms with the death of his beloved father, a victim of 9/11. Oscar solves puzzles, and his father encourages him to go out, explore and find the answers for himself.

One year after tragedy strikes, Oscar finds a key in his father's closet that Oscar interprets as a message to him. Using his autistic savant skills, he discovers that the name Black is associated with the key, and decides to track down the 472 people in greater NYC with that name. He even enlists the 'renter' who lives with his grandmother (actually his wayward Grandfather, the wonderful Max Von Sydow)on his journey of discovery. Of course, the revelations of the key have nothing to do with him, but it is the journey that enlightens.

This is a wonderful tale for a novel and a challenge for people wanting to turn the tale into a film. By and large, it succeeds. It is captivating, well paced, well acted (especially a wordless Von Sydow) and emotionally rewarding. Where it lets me down is the casting. There is a wonderful scene with Oscar and his father discussing oxymorons - and reciting their favourites - this is also picked up by Oscar and his grandfather - and this is the film's fatal flaw.

For me, the casting is REAL FAKE - Oscar and his family are Jews in the novel - clearly a core part of the character and relationships. WASP British Director Daldry - no New Yorker, mysteriously casts an all WASP set of actors - including Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock, let alone Von Sydow. And the boy- Horn - is as Jewish as Billy Elliot, and as autistic as Harry Potter. My son has Asperger's syndrome, and although the condition varies a great deal, I can spot an Asperger's 'sufferer' from 1000 paces. There is lots of autistic traits to Oscar's film behaviour, but none in his eyes, voice and movement.

This could have been a wonderful film, but it ain't.