Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

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Facing the task of preparing eulogies for 8 men in his engine company killed during the events of September 11, 2001, a NYC firefighter captain (Anthony LaPaglia) seeks the aid of a writer (Sigourney Weaver) to help him face this daunting task.


The Guys is based on a one-act, two-character play that opened in December 2001, at the tiny Flea Theatre in New York City. The play was a life-saver for the small theatre, located hard at the boundary of the Ground Zero site. Access to the 80-seat theatre had been limited after the events of 9-11 but the strong run of the play for over a year helped revive the theatre.


First-time Director (and Flea Theatre owner) Jim Simpson cast his wife Sigourney Weaver in the role of Joan, a veteran writer, married with children, experienced as a war reporter.

Sigourney plays Joan as someone wondering if others have been affected as she has been by the recent events. She is looking for something to help heal her own anguish when she learns of Nick, played by LaPaglia, who needs help in working through his own burden of grief.


The Guys works best when it is true to its roots of as a two-person stage play. Nick is reticent, unsure that he 'knows enough' about each of his men to really be able to offer those they left behind any words of value. Joan is confident of her ability to drag enough 'facts' from the captain to hammer out the requisite eulogies.

But along the way, she comes to sense the grief and pain and love that this firefighter has (had?) for his men. As he shares his stories and memories, she comes to appreciate the value of these men and the lives they willingly gave in service to others.


Director Simpson resisted the urgings of others to include scenes of the carnage and destruction of the actual NYC events of that day. The only representation is the symbolic blowing of sheets of paper through a city street. He also resisted the urgings of others to crank up the sexual tension between the two leads. Only a silly fantasy scene (involving a tango dance scene!) hints at this and it definitely hits a sour note with this viewer.


At only 88 minutes and with a total budget of less than a million dollars, this is short, sweet, film candy. Its up-close look at the people of 9-11 rather than the events of 9-11 bring the true meaning and consequences of the day's events to the forefront.


The Bottom Line
Excellent for those interested in a personal one-on-one story of two human beings working out the effects of the events of 9-11-2001. Not a propaganda film . . .but a film about real people, the people they leave behind, and the pain and journey of crafting the words to remember them by.


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Certified 'Lean-n-mean' review.
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Please 'click' the link below to find my other Epinions reviews of 9-11 books and movies and other direct links to 'non-Epinions' websites relating to 9-11.

Related September 11, 2001, reviews by sleeper54


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"Just the facts, ma'am"

Title: The Guys
Director: Jim Simpson
Screenplay: Anne Nelson / Jim Simpson based on stage play
                       by Anne Nelson
MPAA Rating: PG, 'for thematic elements and brief language'
Release Date: 2002, USA
Runtime: 88 minutes
Ages recommended: Teen/High school, Adult
 
 

Recommended: Yes

Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older