A Few Days in September

Another 9/11 flick, this time it’s an uncomfortable blend of art movie and pulp spy thriller which sees ex-CIA operative Irene (Juliette Binoche – miscast) asked by dubious former co-worker Elliot (Nick Nolte) to help facilitate one final meeting with his estranged French daughter and adopted American son. But Elliot is at the centre of some shady dealings as he makes a living using his US government contacts to give financial tip-offs. Set over the ten days preceding the New York attacks, the film suggests that someone, somewhere knew what was going to happen on that day and, even worse, was able to profit from it. It’s an intriguing set-up but is spoiled by a clever-clever script, Christophe Beaucarne’s migraine-inducing cinematography and performances which are decent, but never gel. Luckily, John Turturro is on hand to add some much needed ham as a poetry-reciting hitman who punctuates his killings with absurd psychoanalytical too-and-fros with his shrink.