Oscar (Thomas Horne) is an autistic child who, although quiet intellectually well equipped, lacks the social and inter personal skills of others. This is his story of losing his father (Tom Hanks) and his attempts to come to terms with this.
He and his father first begin their search for the 6th borough of New York, the lost borough. This was an exercise to develop Oscar's social skills and to face the fears that hold him back. Upon his death the quest becomes one of inner strength and dealing with the unanswerable question of why?
Although highly acclaimed within the industry, the film has been given some negative press, due to its pace, the level of acting and some of the narrative events most specifically 9/11. I was happy to realise upon watching the film that these were baseless.
The screenplay (Eric Both) was well assembled and stayed true to the original plot and themes of the novel (Jonathan Safran Foer). The acting of Hanks and Bullock was emotive and understated, and Horne's interaction with each was excellently displayed.
The films haunting score and conventional structure helps focus on the characters and more importantly on the mystery and intrigue of the quest and the obstacles that face Oscar, including those of his own imposition and some from his condition.
The film is a bit of an emotional roller-coaster, which thankfully doesn't dwell on the political strife of 9/11. This being the case the events retain their true emotionally devastating effects without subverting from the original themes. Although the grandparents are less explored than I would have liked the focus on Oscar and his journey is the central. This is definitely one that is worth a watch, but you should be prepared for its emotional content.
The_Frase
He and his father first begin their search for the 6th borough of New York, the lost borough. This was an exercise to develop Oscar's social skills and to face the fears that hold him back. Upon his death the quest becomes one of inner strength and dealing with the unanswerable question of why?
Although highly acclaimed within the industry, the film has been given some negative press, due to its pace, the level of acting and some of the narrative events most specifically 9/11. I was happy to realise upon watching the film that these were baseless.
The screenplay (Eric Both) was well assembled and stayed true to the original plot and themes of the novel (Jonathan Safran Foer). The acting of Hanks and Bullock was emotive and understated, and Horne's interaction with each was excellently displayed.
The films haunting score and conventional structure helps focus on the characters and more importantly on the mystery and intrigue of the quest and the obstacles that face Oscar, including those of his own imposition and some from his condition.
The film is a bit of an emotional roller-coaster, which thankfully doesn't dwell on the political strife of 9/11. This being the case the events retain their true emotionally devastating effects without subverting from the original themes. Although the grandparents are less explored than I would have liked the focus on Oscar and his journey is the central. This is definitely one that is worth a watch, but you should be prepared for its emotional content.
The_Frase