Movies finally confront the topic of 9/11

RE “It’s Time We Looked,” by Patrick Goldstein, April 18: Sadly, “United 93” will probably not do all that well at the box office because Americans (who love to pretend they’re still as tough as the World War II generation) hate to feel “bad” about anything -- thus, the reactions to the previews.

LYNN PARANA

Los Angeles

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PATRICK GOLDSTEIN notes that the most effective movies about the Vietnam War and Watergate “were not about the events themselves,” but he lauds the “documentary-style” and “no-nonsense authority” of “United 93’s” director, Paul Greengrass.

A real-time portrayal of the occurrence itself -- albeit sensitive and victims’ families-approved -- is not tantamount to an exploration of the issues at its heart. In fact, an ostensibly objective representation may be especially irresponsible; its detached posture obviates precisely the duty to analyze -- in short, to contribute to the human discourse struggling to understand the incomprehensible.

WILL BERSON

Los Angeles

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IN making a case for depicting the tragedy of 9/11 sooner rather than later, Patrick Goldstein is on target when he suggests that Hollywood has a history of failing to confront serious issues, “from the Holocaust to the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War.”

And let’s not forget Hollywood’s shockingly lethargic response to the AIDS crisis. June 5 will mark the 25th anniversary commemorating the discovery of AIDS. In that quarter of a century, there have been more star-studded AIDS fundraisers in Hollywood than artistic responses to the epidemic on film. Yet this town manages to maintain its illusory image as a city that teems with liberals who possess an elevated consciousness.

MICHAEL KEARNS

Los Angeles