◆Home Improvement Ideas Journal

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close Movie Rating

By

The 2011 American drama film "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" directed by Stephen Daldry has left a lasting impact on audiences worldwide. The film's raw emotional depth and remarkable performances have led many to wonder: what rating does it truly deserve?

Laden with critical acclaim, the movie secured several award nominations and wins, yet ratings on popular platforms vary. Let's delve into the insights behind this disparity and the film's overall ratings.

The Critics' Take

The film's critical reception was overwhelmingly positive, with many critics lauding its emotional authenticity and exceptional performances.

an older man standing next to a young boy on the side of a red wall
an older man standing next to a young boy on the side of a red wall
a woman walking down the street with her hand in her pocket and holding an umbrella
a woman walking down the street with her hand in her pocket and holding an umbrella
a boy looking at himself in the mirror
a boy looking at himself in the mirror

Roger Ebert from the Chicago Sun-Times gave it four out of four stars, praising the film's handling of its sensitive subject matter and the powerful performances by its leads, particularly Thomas Horn and Max von Sydow.

Exceptional Performances

Critics universally acknowledged the film's standout performances. Thomas Horn's debut as Oskar Schell, a young boy suffering from trauma, was widely lauded for its raw emotion and authenticity.

the movie poster for extremely incredibly and loud close is shown in three different languages, including
the movie poster for extremely incredibly and loud close is shown in three different languages, including
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close Book Review
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close Book Review
there is a wall that has lots of keys hanging on the wall and some words above them
there is a wall that has lots of keys hanging on the wall and some words above them

Max von Sydow's performance as the elderly inventor, Thomas, was equally praised for its subtlety and depth, earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Storytelling and Themes

many critics applauded the film's intricate exploration of grief, loss, and healing in the aftermath of 9/11. Its unique narrative structure, woven with flashbacks and nonlinear storytelling, was often praised as being both ambitious and deeply moving.

Others, however, criticized the film's pacing and narrative choices. Some felt that the story struggled to maintain its emotional intensity throughout, leading to a somewhat uneven viewing experience.

a young boy leaning against a wall with his hand on the corner
a young boy leaning against a wall with his hand on the corner
a young boy in a red jacket and hat holding a frisbee while standing next to another man
a young boy in a red jacket and hat holding a frisbee while standing next to another man
two men are walking in the park and one is holding a camera
two men are walking in the park and one is holding a camera
an open book with some writing on it
an open book with some writing on it
a person walking across a bridge in the rain with an orange jacket and black backpack
a person walking across a bridge in the rain with an orange jacket and black backpack
an older couple looking at a map on the beach
an older couple looking at a map on the beach

AverageViewer Ratings

In stark contrast to critics' reviews, average viewer ratings on platforms like IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes are more mixed, hovering around 7 out of 10.

Many viewers appreciate the film's exploration of difficult emotions and its exceptional performances. However, some viewers find the film overly sentimental or thematically disjointed, leading to a less positive overall rating.

Emotional Resonance

For many viewers, "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" resonates deeply on a personal level, with its exploration of grief and family dynamics striking chords of authenticity and emotion.

a person wearing a gas mask and holding a cell phone in front of a yellow wall
a person wearing a gas mask and holding a cell phone in front of a yellow wall
the text is written in black and white on a piece of paper that says, i feel too much
the text is written in black and white on a piece of paper that says, i feel too much
a young boy wearing a hat and jacket with the words can i take your picture so i can remember you?
a young boy wearing a hat and jacket with the words can i take your picture so i can remember you?
a young boy wearing a gas mask and jacket
a young boy wearing a gas mask and jacket
a house in the woods with a quote on it that reads, being with him made my brain quiet i didn't have to invest a thing
a house in the woods with a quote on it that reads, being with him made my brain quiet i didn't have to invest a thing
a poster with the words extremely loud incredibly close in front of an empty soccer goal
a poster with the words extremely loud incredibly close in front of an empty soccer goal
a young boy looking at his cell phone in front of a cityscape with the words and i thought i couldn't live without him
a young boy looking at his cell phone in front of a cityscape with the words and i thought i couldn't live without him
a young boy looking down at his cell phone with the caption, i promise it'll be better soon
a young boy looking down at his cell phone with the caption, i promise it'll be better soon
The Woods 2006, Edgar Wright Aesthetic, Rodney Harvey My Own Private Idaho, Peanut Butter Falcon Movie, Edgar Wright Trilogy, White Noise 2005, Martin Herlihy Snl, Edgar Wright Cinematography, Vincent Gallo Movies
The Woods 2006, Edgar Wright Aesthetic, Rodney Harvey My Own Private Idaho, Peanut Butter Falcon Movie, Edgar Wright Trilogy, White Noise 2005, Martin Herlihy Snl, Edgar Wright Cinematography, Vincent Gallo Movies
an open book with some words written in yellow and black on the page, as well as
an open book with some words written in yellow and black on the page, as well as
The Emotionally Manipulative New Trailer for Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
The Emotionally Manipulative New Trailer for Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Carl Adolf von Sydow . Max von Sydow
Carl Adolf von Sydow . Max von Sydow
an open book with a yellow marker on it
an open book with a yellow marker on it

Several viewers share stories of how the film helped them process their own experiences with loss, highlighting its transformative power and emotional resonance.

Critiques of Sentimentality

Conversely, some viewers find the film's emotional intensity overwhelming or manipulative, accusing it of over-sentimentality and exploiting its 9/11 backdrop for effect.

These viewers argue that the film's regular use of flashbacks and non-linear storytelling can lead to narrative confusion or tonal inconsistency, detracting from the overall viewing experience.

Ultimately, "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close" stands as a divisive but powerful exploration of grief and healing. Its emotional depth and exceptional performances have resonated with many, while its narrative choices and tone divide viewers. Like all great art, it provokes thought, inspires debate, and demands reflection long after the final credits roll.