9/11 (2017 film)

Last updated

9/11
9-11 (2017 film) poster.png
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMartin Guigui
Screenplay by
  • Martin Guigui
  • Steven Golebiowski
Based onElevator
by Patrick Carson
Produced by
  • Dahlia Waingort
  • Maj Stermec
  • Rodric David
Starring
CinematographyMassimo Zeri
Edited by Eric Potter
Music by Jeff Toyne
Production
companies
  • Sprockefeller Pictures
  • Sunset Pictures
  • Black Bear Studios
  • Thunder Studios
  • The Film House
  • Vitamin A Films
Distributed byAtlas Distribution Company
Release date
  • September 8, 2017 (2017-09-08)
Running time
90 minutes [1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$200,229 [2]

9/11 is a 2017 American action drama film [3] directed by Martin Guigui and written by Guigui and Steven Golebiowski. It is based on the stage play Elevator by Patrick James Carson, which takes place during the September 11 attacks at the World Trade Center in New York City. The film stars Charlie Sheen, Whoopi Goldberg, Gina Gershon, Luis Guzmán and Jacqueline Bisset, and was released in the United States on September 8, 2017.

Contents

Plot

The film opens with a shot of the Lower Manhattan skyline on the early morning of September 11, 2001. Michael is a bicycle courier and wishes his young daughter a happy birthday before setting out on his delivery route. Metzie is getting coffee at a cafe before heading to the North Tower, where she works as an elevator dispatcher. At 8:00 am, billionaire trader Jeffrey Cage and his wife, Eve, are meeting in the law offices of the North Tower to sign divorce papers. At 8:46 am, Michael, Eve, and Jeffrey are descending in an elevator when American Airlines Flight 11 crashes into the 93rd-99th floors of the building, resulting in the elevator stopping around the 38th floor, and its electronic components to malfunction. Also in the elevator is Eddie, a maintenance man, and Tina, a woman who has come to the WTC to break up with her wealthy lover. They try to open the elevator doors to escape but are unable to do so due to a security locking system.

From the elevator dispatch center on the lower floors of the North Tower, Metzie communicates with the group over the elevator's public address system, telling them that their only hope is to force open the elevator door and send Eddie to the power room to rewire the elevator. The group inside the elevator begin to come up with plans to pry the door open. At first, they use their hands but it is stuck too tightly, then they try to open the emergency shaft above but it can only be opened from the outside.

Metzie informs the group that the firefighters are unable to reach the top floor and they must unbolt the locking mechanism to open the doors. Finally, they pry open the elevator door, Eddie is able to unlock the locking mechanism with a screwdriver, and break through a block of drywall into a janitor's room; only Eve gets out before the elevator lowers due to breaking cables, preventing the others from escaping via the hole. Jeffrey tells Eve that he loves her and promises to meet in the lobby before everyone in the elevator lies on their backs and brace for impact as the elevator begins falling. The elevator speeds down to the lobby level, but everyone survives with injuries. Eve finds a firefighter to help her open the elevator door and everyone gets out except Jeffrey, who is trapped in the elevator as it falls lower. The firefighter goes on top of the elevator, opens the emergency shaft, and reaches out to Jeffrey as the North Tower collapses.

Cast

Production

In March 2016, it was announced Charlie Sheen and Whoopi Goldberg would star in Nine Eleven, an action-drama centered around five people trapped in an elevator in the World Trade Center during the September 11 attacks with filming scheduled to take place that month in Long Beach, California. [4] [5] Gina Gershon joined the cast later that month. [6]

Release

The first trailer was released on July 21, 2017, receiving backlash. Zack Sharf of IndieWire described the film as appearing to be "one of the most offensive films ever made" in part due to "the collapse of the Twin Towers [being] used as a ticking-time clock." [7] The New York Daily News also noted that the trailer had been "panned on social media as 'offensive'." [8]

The film was released on September 8, 2017, almost 16 years after the attacks took place.

Reception

Box office

9/11 grossed $170,000 in the United States and Canada and $30,229 in other territories for a worldwide total of $200,229. [9]

The film received a 3-day release in North America, opening in 425 theaters. The film grossed $55,000 its first day and finished the weekend with $170,000, ranking 29th with an average of $400 per theater. [9]

In Portugal, the film finished 16th in its first weekend with $9,588 in 11 theaters, and an average of $871 per screen. In its sophomore weekend, the film decreased 74.6% with $2,432, finishing 25th. The film finished out with $20,407 in box office receipts in the country. In South Africa, the film finished 18th in its first weekend, grossing $4,808 from 10 theaters with an average of $480 per screen. The film dropped 58.7% in its sophomore weekend to 22nd place, with $1,984 and an average of $180 per screen. The film stayed 22nd in its third weekend and finished in the country with $9,822 in box office receipts.

Critical response

On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 20%, based on 10 reviews, with an average rating of 2.6/10. [10] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 20 out of 100, based on 4 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews". [11]

Kimber Meyers of the Los Angeles Times gave the film a negative review, saying "9/11 trades on the emotional weight of its namesake day, manipulating audiences into feelings that have nothing to do with the mess that is actually on screen." [12] In an equally unfavorable review, Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter noted that 9/11 "proves so exploitative that its end credits' dedication to the victims and first responders feels tawdry". [13] Jezebel reviewer Rich Juzwiak wrote that although the film fades out with the words "Never Forget" written on the screen, "I won't, 9/11, but you've done your damnedest to make me want to." [14]

Alonso Duralde of TheWrap praised the performances of Gina Gershon and Jacqueline Bisset and wrote: "Sixteen years later, 9/11 remains too touchy a subject for a movie as clumsy as 9/11 to get entirely right. And even if the film relies too much on the real-life horror of the actual event to loan it some gravitas, the performances touch the emotions honestly and deservedly." [15]

Sheen's history with the 9/11 Truth movement

In 2006, Sheen called in to the far-right conspiracy theorist radio program hosted by Alex Jones to voice his support to the then-growing 9/11 Truth movement. Sheen suggested that the Twin Towers had been destroyed due to a controlled demolition, which was then followed by a cover-up by the US government. [16] He went on to state: "It seems to me like 19 amateurs with box cutters taking over four commercial airliners and hitting 75% of their targets -- that feels like a conspiracy theory." [17] [18] In 2006, Sheen spoke at a 9/11 truther convention in Los Angeles with Alex Jones, and later reaffirmed his beliefs about the conspiracy on Jimmy Kimmel Live! [17]

When Sheen was interviewed by The Hollywood Reporter in September 2017, he reaffirmed his belief in the 9/11 truther movement, remarking, "I was not just coming up with stuff about 9/11. I was parroting those a lot smarter and a lot more experienced than myself, who had very similar questions. Not to put this behind us because, as brilliantly written, we must 'never forget,' but there are still a couple of things just rooted in simple physics that beg some measure of inquiry." [16]

Saturday Night Live cast member Pete Davidson, whose firefighter father died in the 9/11 attacks, condemned the film in an Instagram post, citing Sheen's history with the Truther movement. [19] Others characterized director Martin Guigui's decision to cast a vocal 9/11 Truther in a film about the attacks as hypocritical. [16] [20] [19] [21] [22] [23] [24] Co-star Gina Gershon claimed not to have known about Sheen's earlier conspiracy-related statements until after filming on 9/11 had concluded. She remarked that she would have spoken to Sheen about those comments before committing to the project. [8]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denise Richards</span> American actress and television personality (born 1971)

Denise Lee Richards is an American actress, television personality, and model. She rose to prominence with roles in the science fiction film Starship Troopers (1997), the thriller film Wild Things (1998), and the James Bond film The World Is Not Enough (1999). Her performance as Bond girl Christmas Jones, though criticized, granted Richards her mainstream breakthrough.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whoopi Goldberg</span> American actor, comedian, and television personality (born 1955)

Caryn Elaine Johnson, known professionally as Whoopi Goldberg, is an American actor, comedian, author, and television personality. The recipient of numerous accolades, she is one of few people to receive an Emmy Award, Grammy Award, Academy Award, and Tony Award, collectively known as the EGOT. In 2001, she received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

<i>Ghost</i> (1990 film) Film by Jerry Zucker

Ghost is a 1990 American supernatural romance film directed by Jerry Zucker from a screenplay by Bruce Joel Rubin, and starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, Whoopi Goldberg, Tony Goldwyn, Vincent Schiavelli, and Rick Aviles. It focuses on Sam Wheat (Swayze), a murdered banker, whose ghost sets out to save his girlfriend, Molly Jensen (Moore), from the person who killed him – through the help of the psychic Oda Mae Brown (Goldberg).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ted Danson</span> American actor (born 1947)

Edward BridgeDanson III is an American actor. He achieved stardom playing the lead character Sam Malone on the NBC sitcom Cheers (1982–1993), for which he received two Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards. He was further Emmy-nominated for the FX legal drama Damages (2007–2010) and the NBC comedy The Good Place (2016–2020). He was announced as the recipient of the Carol Burnett Award in 2025.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gina Gershon</span> American actress (born 1962)

Gina L. Gershon is an American actress and singer. She has starred in such films as Cocktail (1988), Red Heat (1988), Showgirls (1995), Bound (1996), Face/Off (1997), The Insider (1999), Demonlover (2002), P.S. I Love You (2007), Five Minarets in New York (2010), Killer Joe (2011), and House of Versace (2013). She has also had supporting roles in FX's Rescue Me and HBO's How to Make It in America. She also portrayed Jughead's mom Gladys Jones on The CW teen drama series Riverdale and Lauren Bloom's mother Jeanie Bloom on the NBC medical series New Amsterdam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlie Sheen</span> American film and television actor (born 1965)

Carlos Irwin Estévez, known professionally as Charlie Sheen, is an American actor. He is known as a leading man in film and television. Sheen has received numerous accolades including a Golden Globe Award as well as nominations for four Primetime Emmy Awards. In 1994 he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Judd Nelson</span> American actor (born 1959)

Judd Asher Nelson is an American actor. His acting roles include Hot Rod/Rodimus Prime in The Transformers: The Movie, John Bender in The Breakfast Club, Alec Newbury in St. Elmo's Fire, Alex in Cybermutt, Joe Hunt in Billionaire Boys Club, Nick Peretti in New Jack City, Billy Beretti in Empire, and Jack Richmond in the television series Suddenly Susan.

<i>Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit</i> 1994 film by Bill Duke

Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit is a 1993 American musical comedy film, directed by Bill Duke, and released by Touchstone Pictures. It is the sequel to the 1992 film Sister Act, and is loosely based on the life of Crenshaw High School choir instructor Iris Stevenson. The story sees Whoopi Goldberg reprising her role as Deloris van Cartier, as she finds herself coming to the aid of her nun friends who need her help to save her old school. Maggie Smith, Kathy Najimy, Wendy Makkena, and Mary Wickes also reprised their roles in the sequel.

<i>Claras Heart</i> 1988 film by Robert Mulligan

Clara's Heart is a 1988 American drama film, based on Joseph Olshan's novel of the same name, directed by Robert Mulligan, written by Mark Medoff and is also Neil Patrick Harris' debut role.

<i>Soapdish</i> 1991 film by Michael Hoffman

Soapdish is a 1991 American comedy film directed by Michael Hoffman, from a screenplay by Robert Harling and Andrew Bergman. The film was produced by Aaron Spelling and Alan Greisman, and executive produced by Herbert Ross.

<i>The Associate</i> (1996 film) 1996 American film

The Associate is a 1996 American comedy film directed by Donald Petrie and written by Nick Thiel. It stars Whoopi Goldberg, Dianne Wiest, Eli Wallach, Tim Daly, and Bebe Neuwirth, alongside Austin Pendleton and Lainie Kazan.

<i>Sarafina!</i> (film) 1992 American film

Sarafina! is a 1992 musical drama film based on Mbongeni Ngema's 1987 musical of the same name. The film was directed by Darrell Roodt and written by Ngema Mbongeni and William Nicholson, and stars Leleti Khumalo, Miriam Makeba, John Kani, Ngema, and Whoopi Goldberg; Khumalo reprises her role from the stage performance.

<i>The Telephone</i> (1988 film) 1988 American film

The Telephone is a 1988 comedy-drama film written by Terry Southern and Harry Nilsson and the only film directed by Rip Torn.

<i>Scary Movie 5</i> 2013 film by Malcolm D. Lee

Scary Movie 5 is a 2013 American parody film directed by Malcolm D. Lee, written by David Zucker and Pat Proft, and produced by Zucker and Phil Dornfeld. It is the standalone sequel to Scary Movie 4 (2006) and the fifth installment in the Scary Movie film series. It is the second and last film in the series to be distributed by The Weinstein Company, as well as the only one not to involve Miramax Films. The film stars Ashley Tisdale, Simon Rex, Erica Ash, Katrina Bowden, Terry Crews, Heather Locklear, J. P. Manoux, Mac Miller, Jerry O'Connell, Molly Shannon, Snoop Dogg, Kate Walsh and Katt Williams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whoopi Goldberg on screen and stage</span> Actress filmography

Whoopi Goldberg is an American actor, comedian, and singer. The following is her filmography throughout her entire acting career. She has won Academy, Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Awards. She won the Academy Award for the Best Supporting Actress for the film Ghost (1990).

<i>This World, Then the Fireworks</i> 1997 American film

This World, Then the Fireworks is a 1997 American crime drama film directed by Michael Oblowitz and starring Billy Zane, Gina Gershon, and Sheryl Lee. The screenplay is based on a short story of the same name by Jim Thompson.

<i>Bloodshot</i> (film) 2020 film by David S. F. Wilson

Bloodshot is a 2020 American superhero film based on the Valiant Comics character of the same name. It is intended to be the first installment in a series of films set within a Valiant Comics shared cinematic universe. Directed by David S. F. Wilson from a screenplay by Jeff Wadlow and Eric Heisserer, the film stars Vin Diesel in the main role, with Eiza González, Sam Heughan, Toby Kebbell, Lamorne Morris, and Guy Pearce in supporting roles. It follows a soldier who was killed in action, only to be brought back to life with superpowers by an organization that wants to use him as a weapon.

<i>Nobodys Fool</i> (2018 film) 2018 American film

Nobody's Fool is a 2018 American romantic comedy film written and directed by Tyler Perry. It stars Tiffany Haddish, Tika Sumpter, Omari Hardwick, Mehcad Brooks, Amber Riley and Whoopi Goldberg, and follows a recently paroled woman who tries to help her sister with a man who may be catfishing her. The film marks Tyler Perry's first R-rated comedy, as well as his first film not to be distributed by Lionsgate.

Sister Act is an American media franchise created by Paul Rudnick and currently consisting of two films: Sister Act (1992), Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993), and a Broadway musical.

<i>My Truth: The Rape of 2 Coreys</i> 2020 American documentary film

My Truth: The Rape of 2 Coreys is a 2020 American documentary film directed by Brian Herzlinger and produced by Corey Feldman and Arthur Jameson. Feldman also stars in the film. The film showcases allegations that Feldman and fellow actor Corey Haim were sexually abused as young children and adolescents by several men connected to the entertainment industry.

References

  1. ↑ "9/11 (2017)". Box Office Mojo . IMDb . Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  2. ↑ "9/11 (2017)". The Numbers . Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  3. ↑ "9/11 (2017) - Martin Guigui". AllMovie .
  4. ↑ "Charlie Sheen, Whoopi Goldberg Starring in 'Nine Eleven' Drama (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Charlie Sheen, Whoopi Goldberg in '9/11' Drama; Nicholas Hoult Is Young Salinger – Specialty B.O. Preview". Deadline Hollywood . September 8, 2017.
  6. ↑ "Gina Gershon Joins Charlie Sheen's 9/11 Indie Film". Variety. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  7. ↑ Sharf, Zack (July 21, 2017). "Charlie Sheen's '9/11' Thriller Looks Like One of the Most Offensive Films Ever Made — Watch". Indiewire .
  8. 1 2 "Charlie Sheen's truther comments, weight of NYC's saddest day complicate '9/11' movie release". New York Daily News .
  9. 1 2 "9/11". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  10. ↑ "9/11". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango . Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  11. ↑ "9/11 reviews". Metacritic . CBS Interactive . Retrieved September 10, 2017.
  12. ↑ Kimber Myers (September 8, 2017). "Review Charlie Sheen thriller '9/11' exploits its namesake tragedy". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved September 10, 2017.
  13. ↑ "'9/11': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter . September 8, 2017.
  14. ↑ "Do Forget: 9/11". Jezebel . September 8, 2017.
  15. ↑ "'9/11' Review: Charlie Sheen Drama Avoids Exploitation If Not Familiarity". TheWrap . September 8, 2017. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
  16. 1 2 3 "'9/11' Director Defends Casting Charlie Sheen in Twin Towers Drama". The Hollywood Reporter . September 8, 2017.
  17. 1 2 "Watch Charlie Sheen Star in Melodramatic '9/11' Trailer". Rolling Stone Magazine . July 20, 2017.
  18. ↑ "Charlie Sheen's 9/11 drama set for September release". Los Angeles Times .
  19. 1 2 "Why 'SNL' Star Pete Davidson Is Pissed at Charlie Sheen's New '9/11' Movie (Video)". toofab.
  20. ↑ "Charlie Sheen to star in 'beyond offensive' 9/11 film". thenewdaily.com.au. July 24, 2017.
  21. ↑ "Trailer for Charlie Sheen's 9/11 film provokes backlash". RTE. July 25, 2017.
  22. ↑ "Charlie Sheen and Whoopi Goldberg's 9/11 movie has been condemned". NME. July 25, 2017.
  23. ↑ Bloodworth, Adam (July 26, 2017). "Charlie Sheen and Whoopi Golderg's 9/11 movie has been called 'awful'". Metro UK.
  24. ↑ "9/11 truther Charlie Sheen is starring in a movie about 9/11". theoutline.com.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.