Flight

Since 2001’s Training Day Denzel Washington has introduced to his repertoire the character of the anti-hero and airline Captain Whip Whitaker is the latest off the production line. Robert Zemeckis’ new film doesn’t play the subtle card to begin with as we’re carted straight off to a hotel room where we see a sleep deficient Whitaker drinking alcohol, taking drugs and canoodling with a flight attendant. Though hardly fit for flying, Whitaker boards his flight for the day and after a nasty bit of turbulence (and some more discreet drinking) settles down for a snooze. Soon enough though he is awoken with a jolt and forced to try and save a plane full of passengers that is behaving in a very naughty manner indeed. Though a worthy effort, there is one main problem Zemeckis has with his film and that is the main money shot (hello upside down plane!) has been used to sell the product (particularly in the trailer) and so this (in effect) is what the audience has paid to see. Said scene is thrilling as you’d expect, but it means wherever old Bob decided to put it in the movie, he had to make sure whatever transpires before or after has to be just as attention grabbing. Sadly, he can’t make it happen. The crash occurs right at the start of the film and the rest of the film concerns Whitaker’s attempts to cover up his drinking prior to the crash and his relationship with a drug addict (Kelly Reilly) who he met in hospital when recovering from the accident. Of course there’s nothing wrong with a drama, but Zemeckis’ direction and John Gatin’s screenplay just isn’t dramatic enough. Hard to believe but this is Zemeckis’ first live action film in over 12 years so you can forgive him a little rustiness, but oh for a few twists or revelations in order to raise this from plodding along at a snail’s pace. By concentrating almost exclusively on Whitaker’s battle with the bottle the movie stalls as badly as the plane Whitaker crash lands. Films regarding alcoholism (or any type of drug) and its effect on people and the others around them are ten-a-penny (even if the subject matter here is one of the most extreme examples in terms of responsibility). The film almost side lines the investigation into the crash, which was an area that could have bought some great tension to the fore (especially in the case of a screenplay like here where the audience is already in on the secret). At least there is the usual decent performance from Washington to enjoy and Reilly (though basically playing the most unsubtle human cipher you’ll ever see) continues getting closer to the mainstream with an assured turn. Though John Goodman’s character (Whip’s close friend / drug dealer) seems to have wondered in off another film. He’s mean to be the film’s comic relief, but just seems hugely out of place. Still, it’s good to have Zemeckis “back” (as it were) and here’s to not having to wait over a decade for his next live-action effort.

The OC Film Sting Final Verdict

Storming crash sequence aside, this examination of addiction is nothing you won’t have already seen elsewhere before. Rating: 6/10.