"Backdraft" (1991)

Okay, the movie is corny, but I’m a total sucker for this type of courage. The sight of Kurt Russell running out of a burning building with a child is…well, it’s iconic. Of the bravery of fire fighters. Much like Michael Bay and the military, I doubt director Ron Howard has a problem getting any drinks at the firefighter’s local watering hole. Because this movie not only makes them look like heroes, they look like Gods. And what better way to remember 9/11 than to celebrate the heroism…um…insane heroism of people who just want to stop destruction.

The movie is about the McCafferey Brothers. Played by Kurt Russell (Bull McCafferey), the elder and William Baldwin (Brian) the younger. As a child Brian witnessed the power of fire as he’d got front row seats to watch his Pop get blasted by the animal. This tragedy led to him being on the cover of “Life” magazine as a poster boy (albeit REALLY outdated 50’s style) of the sacrifices these men make for our safety. Turning kids into fatherless youngsters hopelessly waiting for the return of someone taken by tragedy. Needless to say, we flash forward 20 years later and Bull has become the top of his craft. A thrill seeking fearless firefighter, living past the man who died that fateful day, while Brian toiled in different failed ventures wishing he didn’t get pulled back into the family business.

You wonder a few things at this point…he could be a fireman ANYWHERE else in the country. Well, they allude to the fact that he’s bankrupt. He’s a prodigal son returned to the town which both hoisted him to standards he can never live up to, and smack right next to a brother who leans on him so heavily, you’d think he’d rather just face the real fire.

Russell and Baldwin are fantastic as the brawling brothers. There is love with the hate. They are, I assume, orphans at this point. Little is said of the mother. But there’s no time for that. We’ve crammed a lot of personal history into this. For instance, Rebecca DeMornay plays Russell’s long suffering wife who’s moved on with her life without worry of a husband who is a risk taker, but great at what he does. Meanwhile, Brian juggles an old flame played by Jennifer Jason Leigh. On the side there is an arson investigator who, in a no-nonsense matter-of-fact demeanor, resembles the true fear of the “animal” of fire played by Robert DeNiro. Why didn’t he get nominated for a supporting actor Oscar this year for this?...This movie is crammed with support. Including a wild arson Donald Sutherland, whose child-like love of the beast compels him to sabotage his own freedom for his joy of burning down the world.

What I love most about this movie is…it’s just a story. There are great stunts, a plot of the devious nature of politics, but the core thought is the inability for family to really speak their mind unless push to the ultimate limit. Corny…absolutely. But we’re not in the business of truth here. We’re in the business of making heroes. Better than any Marvel/DC movie. Give it a go.