Flight Movie Review

Flight (2012)

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Written by: John Gatins
Directed by: Robert Zemeckis
Starring: Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle, Kelly Reilly, John Goodman, Bruce Greenwood, Melissa Leo, James Badge Dale
Rated: R
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Plot
An airline pilot saves almost all the passengers on his malfunctioning airliner which eventually crashes, but an investigation into the accident reveals something troubling.

Verdict
You can't absolve Whip, but you can't deny that he saved nearly everyone on a flight. That moral question drives this movie, and Denzel does a great job of playing someone extremely charismatic and deeply troubled. This movie is worth watching for the crash sequence alone, but we also get Denzel's character wrestling with his demons in spectacular fashion.
Watch It.

Review
I've seen this before, and the crash sequence is absolutely amazing. You should see this at least for that scene.

Whip (Denzel Washington) is a pilot, and the first scene establishes him well. He's living irresponsibly, inebriated, and divorced. We don't often see Denzel as something other than a boy scout. This is a guy you wouldn't want to walk you down the street, much less fly your plane. When the copilot asks Whip if he feels okay, the viewer is the only one that knows how inebriated Whip is. The copilot only has a sense. This is just the introduction to the movie.

Denzel Washington plays Whip Whitaker

As we wonder if Whip should even fly, there's also a storm, and the plane bumping around doesn't provide anyone comfort. Whip is right about flying over the storm, and it's downright impressive Whip can perform as well as he considering his state. Whip is charismatic, and that's what makes Denzel so great for the role. Whip is a likable guy making dangerous decisions.

Something goes wrong with the plane, causing it to descend. Whip is the only one calm in an insane situation. This crash landing sequence is spectacular. It's intense, impressive, and just a marvel. The movie is worth it for that sequence alone.

Whip is a hero that saved almost everyone on the plane. They just don't know that he had chemical aid. Whip's alcohol level would have sent him to jail if he were driving a car. Whip can't admit he's an addict, and the added scrutiny sends him spiraling.

John Goodman plays Harling Mays, Whip's dealer. It's a small role that Goodman manages to elevate beyond anything on the page.

Bruce Greenwood, Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle play Charlie, Whip, Hugh

Whip has to balance the truth, his friends, and his career during an investigation. He's the only pilot that could have saved the plane, but he did it while inebriated. His lawyer Hugh (Don Cheadle) doesn't like that situation, but does what he can to help Whip. That hits a snag the night before the hearing as Whip goes on an epic bender. As great as the plane crash is, the hearing nearly matches it.

This is such a good movie. We get many great scenes, but there's the conflict of Whip saving lives and being unable to separate that form the irresponsible decisions he made previously. Is he a hero? Yes. Was he incredibly reckless? Also, yes.

Sully is an easy comparison as the movies are quite similar. If you enjoyed one, you'll enjoy the other.