Why This Movie Matters
This year has been a big one for Hollywood. Between record-breaking box office and critical acclaim, many major films have shaped this year’s cinematic landscape. One of the most stunning examples is the 9/11 Robert Pattinson movie. Premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival this year, the film received widespread acclaim from audiences and critics alike.
The film was co-written and directed by Josh Safdie. Safdie made his directorial debut with this film and collaborated with acclaimed American writer Richard Price. Together, they crafted a compelling character study exploring the tumultuous aftermath of the September 11 attacks. Inspired by real-life events, the film follows the story of a diverse group of characters as they struggle to come to terms with the devastating events that changed their lives forever.
The Cast of ‘9/11 Robert Pattinson Movie’
The central character in Josh Safdie’s ambitious film is New York City Police Department detective Joe Lombardo (Robert Pattinson). Joe is a self-described Irish-American cop with an uncanny ability to connect with people, especially those in need. This trait makes him an effective investigator but also exposes him to the wrath of unscrupulous criminals. As a result of these dangerous yet fascinating occupations, he is constantly putting his life in jeopardy. Fortunately, his exceptional detective skills always come to the rescue.
Joe is partnered with FBI agent Terri Pierson (Holland Taylor) for the agency’s highly secretive and prestigious Surgical Strike Unit. The unit’s existence is classified, and its members’ activities are not subject to scrutiny. Nevertheless, like all good things, the Surgical Strike Unit came to an end with the September 11 attacks. After the tragedy, the unit was disbanded, and Joe lost his job as well as his security clearance. The detective was subsequently demoted to plainclothes duty but finds comfort in his new guise as a civilian. This experience helped the character develop an empathy for those less fortunate than himself.
The Surgical Strike Unit
The first act of 9/11 Robert Pattinson is set in the immediate aftermath of the September 11 attacks as New York City Police Department detective Joe Lombardo (Robert Pattinson) and his partner FBI agent Terri Pierson (Holland Taylor) drive to work. We soon learn that the two are members of a secretive FBI unit and that their mission is to track down the perpetrators of the deadly terror attacks. The scene is a stark contrast to what we have come to expect from a Josh Safdie film. Up to this point, the director has predominantly filmed in an ultra-realistic fashion. This is most notable in his debut feature, Promised Land, where the camera is rarely ever still. In fact, this was the first screen credit of his career.
Using a mix of dramatic reenactments and archival footage, the director crafts a compelling character study of Joe and Terri’s (Holland Taylor) investigative journey as they piece together the events surrounding the 9/11 terror attacks. It is a richly detailed yet swiftly paced history of the worst terrorist attack in American history. After nearly fifteen years since the attacks, the two are still driven by their thirst for vengeance. However, much to their surprise, that desire to seek justice is not mutual. In the days, weeks, and months that followed, both agents have found that wanting only one thing: to bring those responsible for the 9/11 attacks to justice.
The Film’s Historical Context
It is important to point out that this is not a typical post-9/11 movie. Set in the weeks and months that followed the September 11 attacks, the dramatic events of the real world serve as a backdrop to the fictional story. While many films have examined the cultural impacts that stemmed from that terrible day, few films have focused on the investigation itself. In order to tell this unique story, the creative team behind 9/11 Robert Pattinson made a conscious effort to reach back to the golden era of detective fiction. In particular, they cited Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile, Alan Furst’s Night of the Assassins, and Brian Binnie’s Silent Terror: The Secret History of the FBI as Inspiration.
Style Over Substance
This might come as a blow to most moviegoers but Josh Safdie prefers to tell stories that have greater depth. He is most at home when he is depicting characters that he feels are underdogs, whether they be victims of crime or oppression. For him, telling this type of story is a form of artistic self-rediscovery. He often cites his admiration for the work of François Truffaut, noting that his first feature was heavily influenced by the French New Wave.
In 9/11 Robert Pattinson, we witness a different type of underdog story. One that is inspired by real-life events but, in the end, feels completely fictionalized. This is most apparent in the two main characters. First and foremost, Robert Pattinson’s Joe Lombardo is a man of the law, sworn to uphold the law and protect the innocent. Yet, despite his best efforts, he winds up being helpless and at the mercy of vicious criminals. Holland Taylor’s FBI agent Terri Pierson, on the other hand, is a highly capable woman who has dedicated her life to hunting down those responsible for inflicting deadly pain. She is driven by a desire for justice but has no luck in catching her killers (at least not yet).
An Important Look At Post-9/11 America
As mentioned, the film is set several months after the attacks. Since that time, America has witnessed a considerable shift in cultural attitudes towards law enforcement and the justice system. In fact, in some cases, these attitudes have turned decidedly negative. The creative team behind 9/11 Robert Pattinson wanted to reflect this phenomenon on screen. As a result, they took an unorthodox approach to character construction in order to create a more complete and rounded study of post-9/11 America.
This is most noticeable in the case of Joe Lombardo. The character was originally conceived as an Irish-American cop named Tom. Like many in his position, he felt empathetic towards those less fortunate than himself. Yet, the more he studied the events of 9/11, the more he saw the need for societal change. He became convinced that the only way to secure a better future for all Americans was by bringing the perps to justice. This drive makes him an effective and likeable character but also places him at considerable risk of being controlled and manipulated by others. As a result of these dualities, when Joe becomes a scapegoat for a corrupt politician, he finds himself on the run, forced to do things that he does not necessarily want to do.
The Importance Of Empathy
If there is one quality that Joe Lombardo and Terri Pierson demonstrate in spades, it’s empathy. This is apparent in their willingness to put themselves in the shoes of others, understand their perspectives, and appreciate their struggles. Their ability to feel for others is what ultimately makes them good cops, and it is what makes them so relatable. These two could easily be real-life counterparts, and if you’re not feeling extra empathy just yet, then perhaps it’s best to remember that this is a work of fiction and the events that transpire off screen are not meant to be taken literally.
There are so many reasons why this film is important. From a realistic portrayal of modern-day crime and its consequences to a passionate examination of post-9/11 America, it’s a must-see for fans of classic crime fiction and those who want to understand what drove the events of September 11th. This year has been a cinematic breath of fresh air, and the premiere of 9/11 Robert Pattinson at the Toronto International Film Festival was no exception.