AmosL
08-17-2006, 06:35 PM
"WTC VIEW"--An Amazing Film from Brian Sloan
Cinema Pride
AMOS LASSEN
Brian Sloan wrote and directed the amazing film "WTC View". It is the story of young Eric (Michael Urie) who advertises in The Village Voice for a roommate. The ad runs on a date that will "live in infamy", September 11, 2001. To the surprise of all, several possible roommates show up on that date and as we follow the stories, we learn that Eric not only needs someone to share his place but emotional balance as well. Of those that come to inquire about the room, we meet an array of characters. One of the possible apartment sharer is a gay man named Alex with whom Eric shares his bed that same night. Others who appeared interested in the place are a hotelier, a student who is staying in New York because his teacher instills in him that New York needs him, a native New Yorker, a nice straight guy (strange, isn't it, that straight guys can also be nice) who is a liberal politician. How Eric decides with whom to share his room is just a small part of what the movie is all about. What makes the movie so special is a look into the minds of the New Yorkers who live in the area and how they come to terms with the national catastrophe. I was taken in by the performances of the youthful cast who formed an ensemble cast held together by raw emotions and the obvious great love for the script they are performing. As each character comes into play, it is like unwrapping a new present.
Urie's performance as Eric is a tour de force. He maintains a tight rein on his emotions and when he can no longer handle the whole 9/11 situation, he shows the only weakness in his otherwise bravura performance. It is hard to imagine what goes through the mind of someone who was living in the shadow of the fallen towers and Urie portrays his role with class and distinction. I think he is someone to watch.
Something told me to go back and watch "WTC View" again and I am so glad I did. I realize now that this is an important movie because it ties two important issues together. None of us will ever forget the raw emotion we felt on that fateful day that the attack occurred. Sloan handles it with such sheer sensitivity that it takes on different proportions with a second viewing. Secondly I found it amazing the way Alex handles his sexuality as if it is a non issue and he relates his gayness to his prospective apartment hunters matter-of-factly--no apologies. It is just an intregal part if him (but of course in metropolitan New York, it is much easier to be gay then in the state of Arkansas). He mentions that he is gay while showing the apartment and it just flows out of him as if he is saying hello. I really became involved in the film during the second viewing. Sloan has given a gift to New York with this movie--it is a love song to the town and he wrapped it with beautiful layers of understanding. It is a small movie that packs a huge wallop.
The disk is loaded with special features-- a director's commentary, a featurette on how the movie evolved from stage to screen, deleted scenes, interviews with cast members who express their personal feelings and what they felt on the actual 9/11 and a photo gallery showing New York after the terrorist attack. As I sit here typing this review I feel the movie still within me. This is a film you do not want to miss.
Cinema Pride
AMOS LASSEN
Brian Sloan wrote and directed the amazing film "WTC View". It is the story of young Eric (Michael Urie) who advertises in The Village Voice for a roommate. The ad runs on a date that will "live in infamy", September 11, 2001. To the surprise of all, several possible roommates show up on that date and as we follow the stories, we learn that Eric not only needs someone to share his place but emotional balance as well. Of those that come to inquire about the room, we meet an array of characters. One of the possible apartment sharer is a gay man named Alex with whom Eric shares his bed that same night. Others who appeared interested in the place are a hotelier, a student who is staying in New York because his teacher instills in him that New York needs him, a native New Yorker, a nice straight guy (strange, isn't it, that straight guys can also be nice) who is a liberal politician. How Eric decides with whom to share his room is just a small part of what the movie is all about. What makes the movie so special is a look into the minds of the New Yorkers who live in the area and how they come to terms with the national catastrophe. I was taken in by the performances of the youthful cast who formed an ensemble cast held together by raw emotions and the obvious great love for the script they are performing. As each character comes into play, it is like unwrapping a new present.
Urie's performance as Eric is a tour de force. He maintains a tight rein on his emotions and when he can no longer handle the whole 9/11 situation, he shows the only weakness in his otherwise bravura performance. It is hard to imagine what goes through the mind of someone who was living in the shadow of the fallen towers and Urie portrays his role with class and distinction. I think he is someone to watch.
Something told me to go back and watch "WTC View" again and I am so glad I did. I realize now that this is an important movie because it ties two important issues together. None of us will ever forget the raw emotion we felt on that fateful day that the attack occurred. Sloan handles it with such sheer sensitivity that it takes on different proportions with a second viewing. Secondly I found it amazing the way Alex handles his sexuality as if it is a non issue and he relates his gayness to his prospective apartment hunters matter-of-factly--no apologies. It is just an intregal part if him (but of course in metropolitan New York, it is much easier to be gay then in the state of Arkansas). He mentions that he is gay while showing the apartment and it just flows out of him as if he is saying hello. I really became involved in the film during the second viewing. Sloan has given a gift to New York with this movie--it is a love song to the town and he wrapped it with beautiful layers of understanding. It is a small movie that packs a huge wallop.
The disk is loaded with special features-- a director's commentary, a featurette on how the movie evolved from stage to screen, deleted scenes, interviews with cast members who express their personal feelings and what they felt on the actual 9/11 and a photo gallery showing New York after the terrorist attack. As I sit here typing this review I feel the movie still within me. This is a film you do not want to miss.