Walter Hartwig, a lieutenant in the Police Dept. harbor division, is a man carrying a big pain in his heart. To make matters worse, his actions at the scene of a tragic plane crash in the waters near JFK Airport will bring back the memories he has tried to suppress for years. His actions at the rescue operations are hampered when he sees an ethereal beautiful young woman floating in the waters that almost causes his buddy, Sandy Manetti, to lose his life.
Walter, who feels responsible for the death of her younger sister in the waters of Coney Island, can't forgive himself, or his lifesaver father, who was unable to rescue the young girl. Walter has lived all these years with a heavy heart because he can't forget the tragic accident that keeps haunting his memory. Walter can't face the fact his own father is confined to a mental hospital because in his own mind he feels the old man is to blame for his sister's death.
When he meets June, a middle aged woman, who has fainted in the sidewalk near her house, Walter sees a kind soul. June is also a woman with deep wounds, but contrary to Walter, she has learned how to accept the fact of losing her son, a fireman in the tragic events of September 11th 2001. Walter, who doesn't quite come clean to her about what is causing his grief, learns a lot from June, who must look at him as a substitute for Michael.
Walter has taken a bracelet from the drowned woman, Sabrina. He brings it to the center dealing with the tragedy. Sabrina's twin sister, Catrina, a young music teacher, is inconsolable and can't get over the loss of her sister, who finally has seen her dream come true. Walter feels a pull from the young teacher like he hasn't felt with anyone before.
"Into the Fire" is a sad film of such beauty it can't be dismissed easily. Directed with care by Michael Phelan, we are presented with people in despair. All the characters can't get away from the grief they feel as tragedy touched them. The film, which was shot entirely in New York, has a wonderful look thanks to its director of photography, Christopher Norr whose images of familiar places acquire a new look.
The film is enhanced by the intense performances of its principal players. Sean Patrick Flanery makes a marvelous portrayal of Walter, the suffering man who can't see his way out of the guilt he feels inside. Jobeth Williams makes an excellent June, a woman who understands what Walter is going through because she has been there as well. Ms. Williams' contribution to the film gives it a great serenity because of her understanding of June, a character she was born to play. Melina Kanakaredes is seen as Catrina, the music teacher in an intense performance.
This is basically Michael Phelan's triumph for bringing all the different elements of the story together in a movie that is sad, but ends up in a positive note.
Walter, who feels responsible for the death of her younger sister in the waters of Coney Island, can't forgive himself, or his lifesaver father, who was unable to rescue the young girl. Walter has lived all these years with a heavy heart because he can't forget the tragic accident that keeps haunting his memory. Walter can't face the fact his own father is confined to a mental hospital because in his own mind he feels the old man is to blame for his sister's death.
When he meets June, a middle aged woman, who has fainted in the sidewalk near her house, Walter sees a kind soul. June is also a woman with deep wounds, but contrary to Walter, she has learned how to accept the fact of losing her son, a fireman in the tragic events of September 11th 2001. Walter, who doesn't quite come clean to her about what is causing his grief, learns a lot from June, who must look at him as a substitute for Michael.
Walter has taken a bracelet from the drowned woman, Sabrina. He brings it to the center dealing with the tragedy. Sabrina's twin sister, Catrina, a young music teacher, is inconsolable and can't get over the loss of her sister, who finally has seen her dream come true. Walter feels a pull from the young teacher like he hasn't felt with anyone before.
"Into the Fire" is a sad film of such beauty it can't be dismissed easily. Directed with care by Michael Phelan, we are presented with people in despair. All the characters can't get away from the grief they feel as tragedy touched them. The film, which was shot entirely in New York, has a wonderful look thanks to its director of photography, Christopher Norr whose images of familiar places acquire a new look.
The film is enhanced by the intense performances of its principal players. Sean Patrick Flanery makes a marvelous portrayal of Walter, the suffering man who can't see his way out of the guilt he feels inside. Jobeth Williams makes an excellent June, a woman who understands what Walter is going through because she has been there as well. Ms. Williams' contribution to the film gives it a great serenity because of her understanding of June, a character she was born to play. Melina Kanakaredes is seen as Catrina, the music teacher in an intense performance.
This is basically Michael Phelan's triumph for bringing all the different elements of the story together in a movie that is sad, but ends up in a positive note.