Currently standing as a top 10 movie on Netflix, the limited-release “Worth” explores the value of a person’s life.
Based on true events, the movie chronicles a lawyer’s experience as he attempts to compensate victims and families of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
The Sept. 11 Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) provided funds to individuals or direct representatives of a deceased individual. These individuals must have been present at the World Trade Center or surrounding New York City Exposure Zone, the Pentagon or Shanksville, Pa., crash sites between Sept. 11, 2001, and May 30, 2002.
The fund also included those diagnosed with a 9/11-related illness. In addition to first responders, the compensation fund was available to those who lived, worked, or went to school in the exposure zone and those who worked or volunteered in construction, clean-up and debris removal.
By creating an emotional watch experience through individual character storylines and opera music, “Worth” provides viewers access to real events of those impacted by the Sept. 11 attacks. It goes further to explain why a dollar amount doesn’t determine your value in society.
The earlier and later movie scenes show how differently Ken Feinberg, played by Michael Keaton, views life. Life is no longer worth a number because value should not be determined by how a person’s salary.
The film, released on Sept. 3, depicts what it looks like when you’re a widow with cancer who wants her children to be taken care of before they lose another parent; an immigrant family that is grateful for the dollar amount they’ll receive; and a first responder who lost his leg and brother.
The film’s exploration of these individual stories creates a heart-wrenching sentiment showing the reality of this event’s permanent effects. While the fund was intended to “finish and move on,” the process is different for those who continue to mourn what they lost that day.
Outside of individual stories, the film exposes the value set on someone deemed a top priority in society and those who aren’t. “Worth” showcases the power of people who ask for respect and not to be treated as numbers on a spreadsheet.
The actors in this film, especially Stanley Tucci, playing Charles Wolf, gave phenomenal performances channeling their character and story.
“Worth” is a must-watch movie as it shows a glimpse of those severely affected by this traumatic event and allows us to remember those whose lives were tragically lost on Sept. 11, 2001.
To stream “Worth,” use the Netflix platform and for more information on the VCF, visit https://www.vcf.gov/.