"United 93"

Directed by: Paul Greengrass

MPAA rating: R (for scene intensity)

Running time: 112 minutes

Best suited for: those able to face the demons of 9/11

Least suited for: those unable to face the demons of 9/ 11

I did not want to see this movie.

I am firmly entrenched with those least suited to view "United 93." I believe that, for the most part, it's far too soon to face the demons of 9/11. But the demons are here, whether we like it or not-and so is "United 93."

What I can acknowledge is this: a more humane portrayal, a more apt homage to those who perished on United Flight 93 would be unlikely.

Should you see the film? I can't answer that. Am I glad I saw "United 93?" I honestly can't answer that either. I fidgeted through most of the film. I'm fidgety now. I don't think I'll sleep much tonight. If those effects are the measure of an important film, one that climbs under your skin, this one certainly rates.

For anyone unaware, "United 93" is the story of a Boston to San Francisco flight that was hijacked by Islamic extremists on Sept. 11, 2001. The terrorists' presumed intent was to crash the flight into the Capitol Building or the White House. You walk into the theater accepting that premise, knowing the fate of the flight and those aboard.

Walking out of the theater, a friend said to me, "I knew what was going to happen, but somehow I still hoped everything would turn out all right." The sentiment sounds silly, sure- but secretly, implausibly, I'd been hoping the same thing. I wanted United Flight 93 to turn out to be mundane and ordinary. I wanted the world's restlessness and discontent to remain far removed.

Nearly five years after 9/11, Iran's about to split an atom. Last week a news analyst said that a terrorist nuclear detonation inside this country was "more than likely" within the decade. Maybe it's too soon to see a film like "United 93"-but maybe it's not too late.

"United 93" may be the most intense film you'll ever encounter. Yes, you know these people are going to die; you know the confusion and horror of the ground controllers; you know the breakdown of military protocol; you know the political oblivion and momentary presidential stupor-yet you'll remain on the edge of your seat for the entire two hours.

Every inflection, every nuance of the 38 passengers who board is rendered meaningful, somehow almost sacred. The passing smiles, the sighs of drudgery, the lack of expectation-all of these moments crawl inside your brain and fester there.

Director Paul Greengrass ("The Bourne Supremacy") spoke with families of those who'd been aboard United 93. He received their blessing to interpret on film what happened that morning. Some of the events-the phone calls, the black box conversations-are documented. Some events are presumed. The chronological order is calculated. Nothing in "United 93" seems unreal.

In fact, the film plays as chillingly authentic. Very few of the actors are identified as the real people they're playing aboard the flight. They could be you, they could be me. Few names are spoken. We don't know their dreams or fears or aspirations or secrets. We don't know their ultimate destinations, only their ultimate destinies. The four young Arabs who politely board the aircraft appear only slightly nervous. We don't really know their motivation either. Not in personal terms.

Something about God, we come to understand.

The sequences are filmed in quick, jittery takes that I imagine simulate the confused, bewildered experience of those aboard the aircraft that day. There's a cheap, hurried "reality TV" feel to "United 93." The technique, of course, is an illusion. Director Greengrass renders the vision horrifyingly true, excruciatingly riveting.

Is "United 93" crassly commercial? Exploitive? A few weeks ago I suspected so. Now I believe not. Leaving the theater felt like leaving a place of worship. The film is an earnest, deep-felt homage to those who died on Sept. 11. I still don't know if you should see it. I don't know if I should have seen it.

But no one who does see it will forget about "United 93." Not for a long, long time.