EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE is exceptionally deep and intensely somber

Starring Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock—but not really. They’re in the move but newcomer, Thomas Horn is clearly the star. Making headlines for winning first place and $31,800 in prize money on “Jeopardy!” this is Horn’s first movie role. With the big blue eyes of a model and the mind of a whiz kid, he’s perfect in the role of Oskar Schell, an inventive and highly intelligent, albeit socially awkward eleven year-old.

Hanks plays the astute and loving father who is killed in the collapse of the World Trade Center on 9-11 and is seen only in flashbacks. Bullock, in the part of the grieving widow, casts off the glamour, bouncy hair and glowing skin of America’s sweetheart and is stripped down to pure talent. Appearing distant at first, she is wise beyond her fears as she watches over her son while allowing him to find his own way.

Starting with the ‘worst day’ (9-11) the movie avoids the familiar scenes and national devastation to go close-up as eleven-year-old Oskar Schell and his mother, Linda separately learn that their dad and father, Thomas is dead. Gone forever!

Devastated, Oskar finds a key in his father’s belongings and sets out on an expedition to find the lock that it fits. His elaborate plan and detailed strategy leads him to meet a wide variety of people and develop an unlikely friendship. Determined on his quest, he faces his fears and follows all the clues but finds something different from what he was searching for. “I’m glad I have my disappointment,” he says, “It is much better than nothing.” Along the way Oskar gets permission not to be brave and learns that sometimes there are no answers but you go on. You just do.

EXTREMELY LOUD AND INCREDIBLY CLOSE, a Warner Brothers film opens at Regal Tara Cinemas on January 20^th. The theatre is located at 2345 Cheshire Bridge Rd., Atlanta, GA 30324. Call 404-634-5611 for additional information.