8:46

This is a collection of the individual stories of a small group of people from different walks of life, who were directly involved in the events of 9/11. There is tragedy, and there is heroism, but this film it is really about the emotional impact of this event because we get to see the people who were in the towers but also their friends and loved ones who had to watch the horror unfold from a distance.

8:46 is a beautiful, moving tribute to all those who perished due to the events of Sept. 11, 2001. I found the artistic approach to be very unique vs. other films about the subject, and enjoyed getting to know each character. There were some very intense and heartfelt performances, good direction, and impressive cinematography. I applaud this first-time filmmaker for having the guts to take on such a significant and emotionally-charged subject. It is rare to see an independent film with such a modest budget be made about such a monumental event. This film was made integrity, and pays tribute with a great deal of respect and compassion for those lost and their families.

8:46 delivered on all fronts, beginning with production quality. First, I must credit the director... In dealing with a historical event that we are very much familiar with - halfway through, I forgot I was watching a film about 9/11, more interested in the lives and arc of each character, which I think was the point. I also appreciate that this film didn't exploit or take stance on any political aspect regarding 9/11, rather it relied on the moving performances of relatable actors like Jody Flynn, Mike Digiacinto and Shelly Shenoy. Laurie Dawn (The Adjustment Bureau, Boardwalk Empire) delivers a chilling, heart-wrenching moment as a mother who loses her son, watching on real time TV. Surprising bits of humor and coy in the days leading up to the attack also helped me lose myself in the world of these characters, truly interested in what was going to happen in their stories, until tragedy struck. I laughed, cried and was thoroughly moved by this surprising gem of an independent film.

I saw this film at the GI Film Festival in May, and was thoroughly impressed with this first-time filmmaker's skill. This was a very moving .tribute that centers around the people affected, and there seems to be a character that everyone can relate to. It certainly moved everyone in the audience that day - there was not a dry eye in the house. It really brings the audience in and makes you feel a part of that day, giving a very different perspective than other 9/11 films I've seen. During the Q & A it was mentioned that there were real 9/11 survivors and 1st responders in the cast, which definitely added to the realism and emotion to the film. When I heard what a tiny budget this film was made with, I was even more impressed...it looks like a film made for much more. It was shot and directed beautifully, with some very strong performances. I look forward to seeing more from this young filmmaker.

To capture a moment such as 9/11 on screen and expect to strike the same raw chord as that day did is a hell of a task for a filmmaker. No one has done it, and I don't think anyone will ever capture that day in a way that makes it any easier or harder for Americans to watch. 8:46 treads a fine line between blasphemous and barely enjoyable. As the film documents some of the lives 9/11 touched and ruined, it never strikes any real emotion because every five minutes we're meeting a new character. This makes it extremely hard for the audience to emotionally invest in these characters. If it was only a handful of characters being documented on that horrible day then it may have been somewhat watchable. The characters that are depicted are poorly directed and sloppily written. For a film with a 55 minute runtime, this is just too ambitious of a film project. The acting makes the film laughable at times, which makes it really hard to watch because this is such a serious unnerving subject to depict on screen and that requires actors that don't stumble over their lines and a director that doesn't have a clue what they're doing.

Overall, this film is a well made student film at best. It's a nice netflix movie for a day with ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to watch but other than that, skip it.