Worth, staring Michael Keaton, Amy Ryan, Stanley Tucci, new Netflix release, reviewed

In this review we look at the new film coproduced and staring Micheal Keaton about the aftermath of the September 11th, 2001 and its impact on the families who lost loved ones in the attacks. It is available to watch on Netflix.

Worth, staring Michael Keaton, Amy Ryan, Stanley Tucci, new Netflix release, reviewed

The timing of this film makes sense, coming out twenty years after the shock events that transformed our world. 2001 is both recent and yet also ancient history for kids and current new university students. This does raise the question of how do those of us who remembered it happening at the time, especially the second tower in real time, explain it to these newer generations. It is certainly a valid point that the impacts of that day are still playing out, especially with the Taliban returning to power in Afghanistan, and the anti-democratic urges in the US still being facilitated and fanned by the ex-president that refuses to accept that he lost the 2020 election .

Naturally these are not issues that the film has to directly wrestle with, but it is still very clear that there is a live context to this film and the reasons it was made. First up it is a well told story, with well acted roles by all of the key lead actors. All of the actors are excellent, Stanley Tucci is definitely becoming a national treasure, Amy Ryan is solid and Keaton does an effective job of being flawed, not completely likeable and also struggling to empathise with everyday people. Keaton’s Boston accent jars slightly, his drive for authenticity taking it to the point of near unintelligibility at times. Perhaps this is method acting taken to its extreme. That said his character gets there in the end in his battle to both get the project over the line, while also attempting to navigate the complexity of so many people’s lives.

Overall the film works, and in the final footnotes it is clear that Kenneth Feinberg’s company went on to broker many more settlements for those who have lost loved ones in tragic and often violent circumstances. Check it out, well worth watching, it covers an important subject, but not in a way that aims to be a tear jerker.

More about Worth

 Following the horrific 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, Congress appoints attorney and renowned mediator Kenneth Feinberg (Michael Keaton) to lead the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. Assigned with allocating financial resources to the victims of the tragedy, Feinberg and his firm’s head of operations, Camille Biros (Amy Ryan), face the impossible task of determining the worth of a life to help the families who had suffered incalculable losses. When Feinberg locks horns with Charles Wolf (Stanley Tucci), a community organizer mourning the death of his wife, his initial cynicism turns to compassion as he begins to learn the true human costs of the tragedy.

Based on true events, Worth is a moving reminder of the power of empathy and the value of human connection. The film is directed by Sara Colangelo, written and produced by Max Borenstein and produced by Marc Butan, Anthony Katagas, Michael Sugar, Bard Dorros, Sean Sorensen, and Michael Keaton. Tate Donovan, Shunori Ramanathan, Talia Balsam, Laura Benanti, Marc Maron, Ato Blankson-Wood, Chris Tardio, Carolyn Mignini and Victor Slezak also co-star.

Directed By | Sara Colangelo

Written By | Max Borenstein

Produced By | Marc Butan, Anthony Katagas, Michael Sugar,Bard Dorros,Sean Sorensen, Max Borenstein,  Michael Keaton

Cast | Michael Keaton, Stanley Tucci, Amy Ryan, Tate Donovan, Shunori Ramanathan, Talia Balsam, Laura Benanti, Ato Blankson-Wood, Chris Tardio, Carolyn Mignini, Victor Slezak

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