2 films about 9/11 are garnering praise for their sensitivity

The two 9/11 feature films released this year — "United 93" and "World Trade Center" — were both made with the consent and approval of, and input from, the families of victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

However, questions remain about whether the movies not only come too close to a national tragedy but whether they exploit a still touchy and emotional subject.

"United 93" director Paul Greengrass told reporters in April that he felt his film "has to justify itself to its audience. Everyone will ask some questions: 'Is it too soon? Is it exploitative? Was it made with some truthfulness?' The bar is high, and it should be."

Utahns who have seen them say both films clear that bar.

Retired Avalon Theater owner Art Proctor has seen both and said he was "moved to tears" by the experience. "('World Trade Center') is very well done and sensitive," Proctor said. "You'd have to be made of stone not to feel something, seeing those films."

"World Trade Center" is "a good reminder of what happened. (The film's release) is not too soon at all," said Steve Peart of West Jordan. He and his wife, Penny, took their teenage children to Megaplex 12 at The Gateway to see the film at a recent afternoon showing and are now planning to watch "United 93," as well.

One person who won't see either of them, however, is Margaret Wahlstrom of Kaysville. Her mother-in-law, Mary Alice Wahlstrom, and her sister-in-law, Caroline Beug, were killed when their airliner crashed into the World Trade Center.

Wahlstrom said in an e-mail exchange that she and her husband, Norman, have consciously avoided the movies "because of the personal nature of our family being involved in those events. It will always cause a significant sorrow and pain to revisit that day for each of us.

"In countless ways, we get reminded every day of our lives about 9/11, and for us it will always be personal, for it changed our lives forever. Even casual mention of 9/11 has an effect on us that others probably cannot understand."

She does not discourage people from seeing the films, however, and "would encourage others to view (them) so that they will not forget."

Wahlstrom also reports that her family has "heard that (the films) are extremely well done and that they have a tremendous emotional impact on those viewing them. Our personal desire was that any movie made about 9/11 would be historically correct and not used as a political tool in any way. Any movie made should be respectful to those who died that day, and to their families who were forced to go on without them."