Radically Rescued

The Hollywood world is abuzz with the announcement of the Academy Award nominations. And as in every year, there's always news about what films were snubbed.

Susan and I saw a very moving movie last night that was released in 2006. And after it was over we were both surprised how it was overlooked by the Academy. Oliver Stone directed a very realistic and emotionally compelling re-enactment of that dreaded September 11 in his film, "World Trade Center." The way the computer animators recreated the burning towers and heap of smoking metal was amazing.

I hadn't realized that while 2,749 died in that national tragedy, only 20 people were rescued. This film tells the story of #'s 19 and 20 -- two policemen who were trapped in an elevator shaft and were in desperate need of being rescued. Nicolas Cage and Luis Pena (who was wonderful in "The Count of Monte Cristo") play the two Port Authority policemen whose families frantically await word on their fate while the two men lie under concrete, talk about their families, pray and try to keep each other awake and alive.

I am naturally claustrophobic and so as I watched these two guys I cringed in thinking what it would be like to feel so trapped and helpless.

Warning, I'm going to give away the ending, just in case you want to stop reading this and go rent the movie. The scene of the heroic Marines, firemen, and paramedics digging out these two men and pulling them out of this hellish hole was beautifully done.

Being trapped in a pile of steel and concrete. Unable to get out by yourself. Needing someone to come rescue you. Rejoicing and being so grateful to your rescuer when you're finally pulled out of this death grip. It just reminded me of another Rescuer that all of us need ...

Jim