With fires to the north and south, the Source has sent out writers to report back from the front lines. Those stories will appear in next week’s special “fire prevention issue.”
In the meantime, our recommendation for movies about firefighters:
Gold medal: Backdraft (1991)— A family of square-jawed Chicago firefighters (including William Baldwin) struggle with egos, overinflated hoses and crashing buildings in what is the highest grossing film about firefighters ever; $150 million worldwide! Its success is understandable as no movie has personified fire in the way this Ron “Richie Cunningham” Howard film has, bestowing human characteristics and a certain devious villainy to the various fires that plagued a budget constrained Chicago. Which is all worth it for the one line, said earnestly brother to brother: “Did the fire look at you?” (@ 1:51)
Runner-up: “Roxanne.” Steve Martin is a fire chief for a hapless company in the Pacific Northwest.
Bronze medal: “Always” Yes, Richard Dreyfus is a badass hot-shot, who (ala Ghost) communicates with his girlfriend after his death. A slender and sober John Goodman turns in a sizzling performance.
This article appears in Jul 25-31, 2013.
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