Search - The Guys on DVD

Sharon F. (Shar) from AVON PARK, FL
Reviewed on 5/16/2023...

This is one of the BEST 9/11 movies I have seen. It's a very unusual look at those firefighters lost on this tragic day. It's simple...two people, one setting, and one subject. But the emotion and grief is very clear. The music is haunting.

Synopsis: The Guys is a powerfully moving and unexpectedly humorous film about a NYC journalist (Sigourney Weaver) who is called upon to help a fire captain (Anthony LaPaglia) pay tribute to the men he lost at the World Trade Center. As the fireman begins to open up, the two form an unexpected bond, and we rediscover the quiet heroism and humanity that affected all of our daily lives.

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Patricia K. (pat) from ROANOKE, VA
Reviewed on 6/17/2020...

did not like

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Elizabeth B. (bethieof96) from NINETY SIX, SC
Reviewed on 6/7/2013...

This movie was a bit slow for me but offers another side of the 911 crisis and the aftermath and people directly affected by the events.

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Unusual movie, powerful reminder of 9/11

O. Brown | Twopeas, WA | 09/01/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"*****

This movie is, on the surface, a simple story about a fire captain who is assisted by a writer in composing eulogies for the men he lost in 9/11. However, it is much more than this. As the writer tells her story (how she worked with the captain), she explores the many complex ramifications of 9/11 on New York City, and indeed, upon all of us. Moreover, as the captain and the writer work together, you come to see the firefighters individually, and to appreciate their daily service and sacrifice.



It is a moving and powerful movie. It is somewhat painful, but in a good way, as we all need to be reminded of 9/11, to never forget. There are no graphic scenes or heavily disturbing visual scenes. I cried at several parts through it. It deeply affected me, and I will not forget it, as I do many movies, once their story has been told. I don't think I'll ever look at firefighters the same way, either. Although it is a movie about one moment in America's history, it is a movie about all of life, too, and a good exploration of grief and existential things (without being preachy or intellectual at all).



The acting was great, music great, and it was put together in an unusual way--9/11 through the eyes of two people writing eulogies--who would think of this? But it works, and it works well.



This is a movie to own. If the idea of the movie interested you enough to even read this review, I would highly recommend getting it.

****"

A Powerful And Moving Eulogy For The Guys!

Jana L. Perskie | New York, NY USA | 10/18/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"On September 11, 2001, 343, (three hundred forty-three), of New York City's Bravest were killed while doing their job, rescuing people at the World Trade Center. The tragedy of September 11, and the loss of these courageous men and women, as well as the deaths of thousands of innocent human beings, haunts the people of New York to this day. "The Guys" is a most powerful and fitting eulogy to those who sacrificed their lives so that others could live.A fire captain, (Anthony LaPaglia), of a ladder company located in lower Manhattan, lost eight of his men when the Twin Towers collapsed. Six other men in his firehouse, part of the engine company, also died that day. He is experiencing tremendous grief, and is obviously still in shock, when he approaches a journalist, (Sigourney Weaver), to ask her for help in composing eulogies for "his guys." He says, "The call came. The guys went out. They haven't found them yet. The families want a service. What am I going to tell them?" The journalist, living with her own grief, sadness and depression, has felt helpless, useless when confronting the terrible events that have so impacted her city, the nation and the world. At last, by helping this grieving, inarticulate man to compose the eulogies for his men and their families, she can do something to help. The writer coaxes information about each lost firefighter from the captain, piecing together anecdote and tidbit until portraits emerge that give life to each individual. The result is a thoughtful and powerful tribute that makes men who became heroes into human beings again - recognizable to friends, family and co-workers.The screenplay is superb, as is the acting of Weaver and LaPaglia. He is steeped in sorrow and loss, but emerges from his shell occasionally to relate stories about the guys. Ms. Weaver, appears to be walking a fine line between giving in to her feelings and trying to be objective, to empathize with LaPaglia in order to glean as much information as she can.This film has been produced in a very tasteful manner. There are no shots of fire and destruction. The catastrophe is portrayed in a very poignant manner, by sheets of paper from the WTC flying along the street, near the firehouse. The music is exquisite and appropriate. As a New Yorker, I feel better having seen the film, and for this powerful reminder of The Guys.
JANA"

Emotionally Healing

Martin A Hogan | San Francisco, CA. (Hercules) | 06/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Anne Nelson's play wonderfully captured on film runs the gamut of emotions. Sigourney Weaver as a journalist helping out a fire captain (Anthony LaPaglia) write eulogies for eight different men from his ladder is poignant, funny and eventually heartbreakingly real. The initially awkwardness of the two meeting is overcome by personal anecdotes and touching stories each share to bring about the final product which is to give each fallen hero his accurate due. Weaver and LaPaglia are perfect in their portrayals as two people trying to help each other in a horrific and emotionally draining period which commands them to bring out the best of each man's life. It is essentially a love story. The pain each character feels when discussing each man individually is a rarity in films and this one gets it right. This film acts as a healer for all affected by 9/11."