Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close is a moving film based on the novel by author Jonathan Safran Foer. Not only has it received positive reviews from critics, but it has also earned a nominee for best picture at the Academy Awards. It is an inspirational masterpiece that brilliantly depicts the life of a boy named Oskar (Thomas Horn) who loses his father (Tom Hanks) during the September 11th tragedy and must tackle a family mystery that his father left for him to uncover. As Oskar searches the city for clues on his father’s behalf, he makes significant observations and encounters new realizations about life and the people in it. The film as a whole is a historical gateway into one of the greatest tragedies of our country. It also allows us to witness the journey of a young boy who must cope with the loss of his father and role model. Personally, this story serves as a valuable reminder to appreciate the life I have been given, but not overlook the pain of others who gallantly survive substantial challenges of their own.