Out of the Clear Blue Sky - B+

Unrated, 108 minutes
Wes's Grade: B+

With the 13th anniversary of the September 11 attacks approaching, the documentary "Out of the Clear Blue Sky," made by a 9/11 family member and filmmaker, should be required viewing: it's a compelling, often heartbreaking portrait of how 9/11 affected one investment company. After a very limited release in 2013, the documentary is just out on DVD and is definitely worth viewing. A documentary that explores the devastating effects of 9/11 on the investment firm Cantor Fitzgerald, whose offices on the upper floors of the North Tower of the World Trade Center were destroyed in the attacks, killing 658 out of their 960 employees. Directed by Danielle Gardner, whose brother worked for Cantor and was killed in the attacks, "Out of the Clear Blue Sky" is a fascinating, poignant look at the lives lost and the company that had to literally rebuild from the ground up. The company's CEO then and now, Howard Lutnick, became well-known in the days following the attacks for his emotional breakdowns as he spoke of his company, and then became disliked when he stopped the paychecks of his deceased employees, an act he said was needed to keep the company alive (which was true). Lutnick instead vowed to commit 25% of the company's profits for 5 years and pay for insurance to the victim's families for 10 years, promises he kept as Cantor came back stronger and more profitable than ever. Lutnick, known for his cutthroat, autocratic leadership style on Wall Street, should be commended for those promises, as well as starting the Cantor Relief Fund (run by Lutnick's sister Edie), the organization still in existence that at first exclusively helped the 9/11 victims then expanded to helping victims of other disasters too. "Out of the Clear Blue Sky" is bittersweet, often riveting and in the later chapters, quite emotional (be prepared to have some tissues handy) listening to the victims families and watching some of the Cantor memorial services, though for some, especially those who feel they have been deluged with 9/11 over the years, may find it redundant (and since much has evolved since the early days of 9/11 some may feel distant from it all). "Out of the Clear Blue Sky" is a heartbreaking reminder to not to forget 9/11, and is a great companion piece to Edie Lutnick's 2011 book, "An Unbroken Bond" (a very insightful, poignant read), which provides more detail into what happened with Cantor after 9/11. Both come highly recommended.