Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (film)
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motion picture |
| Founded | 2011 |
| Founder | Stephen Daldry (director), Eric Roth (screenwriter) |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Film |
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close is a 2011 American drama film helmed by director Stephen Daldry with a screenplay by Eric Roth. Adapted from the 2005 novel authored by Jonathan Safran Foer, the film features performances by Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, and newcomer Thomas Horn, supported by Max von Sydow, Viola Davis, John Goodman, Jeffrey Wright, and Zoe Caldwell in her concluding role. Shot on location in New York City, the movie was initially released in select US theaters on December 25, 2011, through Warner Bros. Pictures, followed by a nationwide rollout on January 20, 2012. It accumulated over $55 million globally. Although critical reception was mixed, the film earned two Academy Awards nominations—Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor for von Sydow—sparking debate.
Plot
Oskar Schell, a nine-year-old boy with autism residing in New York City with his parents Linda and Thomas Schell, shares a deep connection with his father. Thomas encourages Oskar’s exploration of the city’s so-called "lost Sixth Borough," fostering his communication abilities through imaginative missions.
On September 11, 2001, Oskar discovers six voicemail messages left by his father at the World Trade Center before his tragic death. Overwhelmed by grief and confronted with an empty casket during the funeral, Oskar withdraws into a private sanctuary filled with memories of his father.
A year later, Oskar uncovers a key inside a vase marked "Black" and becomes obsessed with locating its corresponding lock. Consulting the phone directory’s 472 listings under "Black" in New York, he embarks on a covert search despite growing emotional distance from his mother. His encounters provoke diverse responses but fail to reveal any definitive clues; he carefully records each interaction in a scrapbook.
Unexpectedly, Oskar meets an elderly man who lives in his grandmother’s apartment and communicates solely through tattoos reading "yes" and "no," as well as writing. The man consents to join Oskar’s quest, aiding him in overcoming fears such as using public transportation and crossing bridges. Oskar suspects this stranger might be his grandfather.
Playing back his father’s answering machine messages irritates the grandfather, who insists that Oskar cease. After witnessing a dispute between his grandparents and seeing the grandfather leave abruptly, Oskar attempts to confront him but is unable to prevent his departure.
Oskar then contacts a number connected to an estate sale and meets Abby Black, who introduces him to her former husband William. William identifies the key as one inadvertently left to him by his deceased father through the vase originally given away by Thomas.
Oskar admits he never answered the sixth call on September 11 due to fear but replaced the answering machine to protect his mother from further pain. He entrusts the key to William but flees when Abby approaches him distressed.
Back home, Oskar destroys his scrapbook until his mother confesses she knew about his excursions and had prepared those he visited for him. This revelation allows Oskar to begin accepting his father’s death. He writes thank-you notes to everyone he met during his journey and invites his grandfather to return home, which he does.
Oskar presents his mother with the scrapbook titled Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, filled with pop-up elements chronicling his adventure. Visiting a cherished spot in Central Park, he discovers a final message from his father hidden beneath a swing, bringing closure to their last shared journey.
Cast
- Tom Hanks portrays Thomas Schell
- Sandra Bullock appears as Linda Schell
- Thomas Horn takes on the role of Oskar Schell
- Max von Sydow features as The Renter
- Viola Davis plays Abby Black
- Madison Arnold acts as Alan Black
- John Goodman is cast as Stan the Doorman
- Jeffrey Wright represents William Black
- Zoe Caldwell appears as Oskar's grandmother
- Hazelle Goodman performs as Hazelle Black
- Adrian Martinez portrays Hector Black
- Stephen Henderson plays Walt the Locksmith
- Stephanie Kurtzuba acts as Elaine Black
- Catherine Curtin appears as Leigh-Anne Black
Development
By August 2010, director Stephen Daldry and producer Scott Rudin had dedicated five years to developing a cinematic adaptation of the novel Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. Screenwriter Eric Roth was brought on board to craft the screenplay. This project was a joint venture between Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros., with Warner Bros. taking the lead studio role. The principal crew included cinematographer Chris Menges, production designer K. K. Barrett, and costume designer Ann Roth.
Casting
The initial casting featured Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock. Starting in October 2010, a nationwide search sought a young actor between 9 and 13 years old to fill the role of Oskar Schell. Ultimately, Thomas Horn, who had earned over $30,000 during the 2010 Jeopardy! Kids Week despite lacking prior acting experience, was selected in December 2010 based on his quiz show performance. On January 3, 2011, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that John Goodman had joined the ensemble. Although initially credited, composer Nico Muhly was later replaced by Alexandre Desplat, who composed the film’s score. Originally, James Gandolfini was cast as a romantic interest for Bullock’s character; however, his scenes were removed following unfavorable responses from test audiences. Austrian actress Senta Berger declined an offer to participate in the film.
Characterization
Daldry described the narrative as centering on "a unique child on the autistic spectrum, striving to establish his own understanding—attempting to make sense of something that fundamentally eludes him." The director highlighted thorough research efforts, including consultations with experts on Asperger's, to develop a character exhibiting traits associated with the spectrum, especially certain anxieties and phobias. Within the story, it is revealed that Oskar underwent testing for Asperger syndrome, though results were ambiguous. Importantly, the original novel does not specify autism; author Jonathan Safran Foer explained he did not intend for Oskar to be autistic but preferred to leave interpretation open-ended for readers.
Filming
Principal photography commenced in March 2011, later than the originally planned January start date, and production paused in June. Significant scenes were filmed in Manhattan’s Lower East Side and Chinatown, with crane shots utilized at Orchard and Grand Streets. The film distinguished itself as the first major Hollywood production captured using an Arri Alexa camera with ArriRaw format during post-production. Locations within Central Park near The Lake and Wollman Rink played a vital role in the plot. Additionally, the Seaport Jewelry Exchange on Fulton Street served as a key setting during Oskar’s exploration inside a jewelry store’s back room.
Release
Stephen Daldry planned the film's release to coincide closely with the tenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks. A preliminary screening held in New York on September 25, 2011, garnered favorable reactions. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close had a limited theatrical release across the United States on December 25, 2011, before expanding to a wide release on January 20, 2012. The film premiered in the United Kingdom on February 17, 2012.
Home media release
On March 27, 2012, the movie became available for home viewing in Region 1 through Blu-ray, DVD, and digital download formats.
Critical response
According to the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 44% approval rating with an average score of 5.60/10 based on 189 critic reviews. The consensus suggests that while Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close tells an important story, it is hampered by what some perceive as a "treacly and pretentious" approach from director Stephen Daldry. Metacritic assigned it a weighted average of 46 out of 100 from 41 critics. Audience polling by CinemaScore resulted in an average grade of "A-" on a scale ranging from A+ to F.
Opinions among critics were mixed regarding the film’s treatment of its sensitive subject matter. Betsy Sharkey of the Los Angeles Times praised it as a "handsomely polished, thoughtfully wrapped Hollywood production" that tackles the national tragedy of 9/11 with care. Conversely, Andrea Peyser from the New York Post criticized the film as "extremely, incredibly exploitive," accusing it of emotional manipulation and pursuing awards recognition. Peter Howell of the Toronto Star rated it one out of four stars, describing it as "calculated Oscar bait" undermined by opportunistic motives and insincere sentimentality.
Accolades
Controversy Surrounding Best Picture Nomination
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close was widely anticipated to be a strong contender at the 84th Academy Awards given director Stephen Daldry's previous acclaimed works. Nevertheless, mixed critical responses and its omission from major critic circles—including the Golden Globe Award, BAFTAs, and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations—dampened its perceived chances. Still, it earned nods for Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor (Max von Sydow).
The selection of this film for Best Picture ignited considerable debate, with some critics branding it as one of the poorest choices in Oscar history. Industry observers pointed to its unfavorable reviews and polarizing effect. Many attributed this result to recent Academy voting changes that emphasize films with fervent niche followings rather than those with widespread appeal. This shift was seen by some as responsible for sidelining more popular films like Bridesmaids and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, while allowing contentious entries such as this one to advance.
In contrast, awards expert Tom O'Neil defended the film's nomination, commending its thematic significance and artistic execution despite the negative feedback.
During the awards ceremony, Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close did not win in either category, losing Best Picture to The Artist and Best Supporting Actor to Christopher Plummer for Beginners.
By 2024, Metacritic identified it as the lowest-rated Best Picture nominee in forty years, citing its emotionally manipulative tone and limited award success contrary to initial expectations.
Debate Over Autism Representation
The depiction of Oskar as an autistic character drew criticism from multiple reviewers and sparked backlash from autism advocacy organizations. Manohla Dargis of The New York Times observed that in reality, Oskar “would be one of those children who inspire some adults to coo and cluck while reminding others of how grateful they are to be child-free.” Mick LaSalle from the San Francisco Chronicle characterized him as “creepy,” “weird,” “snappish,” and “superior.”
Michelle Gonzalez of Autism Key pointed out a concerning pattern, noting that many critics and audiences struggle with understanding how children on the autism spectrum express themselves and interact.
Soundtrack
| Title | Songwriter, Performer, and Composer |
|---|---|
| "If You Know The Lord Is Keeping You" | Charles Taylor |
| "Cleo's Back" | Little Freddie King and Willie J. Woods |
| Entire Score | Alexandre Desplat |