Bullock on new movie,
EXTREMELY LOUD
(L to R) Sandra Bullock, Viola Davis, Thomas Horn, Tom Hanks,
Jeffrey Wright and, Max von Sydow
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close – A touching drama about a family's struggle to make sense of the September 11th tragedy. We are introduced to newcomer and Teen Jeopardy winner Thomas Horn, giving a masterful performance as Oskar Schell, in the lead role and as the story's narrator. Age 14, Horn's performance is beautifully situated alongside Oscar winners: Sandra Bullock (The Blind Side, The Prince of Egypt), Tom Hanks (Toy Story franchise, Forrest Gump), Oscar nominee Viola Davis (The Help, Doubt, Antwone Fisher), Jeffrey Wright (The Ides of March, Source Code, Syriana) and Max von Sydow (Robin Hood, Minority Report). This Paramount Pictures release is beyond moving in a tale of sorrow set against a backdrop of multiple family dynamics all connected by one boy's search for answers. It is both reminiscent and uplifting.
During press interviews for the film, Horn said of his first time acting experience, "Everyone was really nice to me and everybody made me feel really at home on set and during rehearsals. Steven (Daldry, the director) was really sensitive and would always give me tips; would always give me suggestions when I was doing something wrong. All my fellow co-actors were really amazing, both as actors and personally." Looking admiringly toward Sandra Bullock, the expressive young man continued, "they were really nice and made me feel comfortable. I mean, they could have looked down on me considering how wonderful actors they are. So much better than I am in every way, but they didn't. They were really nice and I never felt intimidated at all."
Sandra Bullock also spoke passionately about Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close –
Talk2SV: There are a number of observations one can make about the telling of this story, one such being, seeing three generations of men deal with the emotional trauma of loss, an arc we don't see much in feature film. Along with that arc are the parallel and pivotal roles the women play in this male-friendly drama, making their collective contribution the linchpin.
Bullock: It's a beautiful point and it's true. I don't think we allow that in life or on film and it goes to what I feel this story is about --honoring people's grief and allowing them to have it. I think that is a good way to say it because it's something that's part of who we are as human beings. Even animals get it, but, we (humans) get it on such a profound, vocal, articulate level and I think we're given that gift yet it's completely squelched, especially for men. I think it's so unfair. As women, we are expected to drop and grieve but I loved what this movie showed-- several generations in pain and how they showed that [pain], and how they healed each other by listening and talking. Thomas' character communicated; he communicated and through that [communication] there was healing. I think it's such a beautiful part of this story and the way the book is written. It's cathartic, I think.
Talk2SV: You were the first artist to bring a film to New York after 9/11 happened. Did getting involved with this film bring a sense of closure to that tragedy?
Bullock: Yes, [when we made the film] Two Weeks Notice, we came here right after 9/11 and it was brilliant. I am so glad we did, it was a no brainer. I think for me and for so many people, this movie [Extremely Close] has allowed people to grieve. I was there (in New York City on September 11, 2001); I saw it… saw the second plane. I saw people helping people and, that to me, is what resonates about the City of New York. Within seconds, I saw the entire city come together and help each other in a way that they hadn't the day before, hadn't thought about it, but they didn't question it when it happened. I have so many memories and emotions of it. Some that still don't register, I think because your mind doesn't let you register why someone would do that. However, in a good way, I hope those good memories never leave; that vibrancy of what happened doesn't ever leave me because it made me aware of so many things I wasn't aware of before. So, no closure but, in a good way, as long as everyone can talk about it and grieve I think that's what this story is-- the allowance to talk about the events that have happened in your life and that you should be able to grieve.
