Through The Rear Window: Movie Review ... Flight

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Movie Review ... Flight

‘Flight’ is a very appropriate project for its talents. Having a director and star known for professional risk-taking, its story of someone used to risky behaviour is a perfect fit. Combined with their skills in telling engaging narratives, ‘Flight’ is a consistently intriguing examination of someone determined to live life on the edge.

William Whitaker (Denzel Washington) is an airline pilot unafraid of consequences. Using alcohol and drugs to fuel his frayed existence, his latest flight jolts him into reality. Taking charge during a botched landing and saving the lives of most of the plane’s inhabitants, he is hailed a hero. Unfortunately his past catches up with him as media and professional scrutiny bring an intensity no drug could ever provide.

Examining issues of addiction and the refusal in facing them drive ‘Flight’. An already troubled soul, Whitaker’s existence is further fractured by the fame of his heroic efforts. Sadly he is consistently bedevilled by demons with those around him caught in his drunken quagmire. Washington is superb in yet another challenging performance. There are very few actors who could at once make you love and loathe their characters with this role one of his best.

He is assisted by a fine ensemble whose roles convey the right amount of adoration and exasperation at Whitaker’s antics. It’s also great seeing Robert Zemeckis return to live-action directing after a decade spent with various animated productions. He brings genuine humanity and truthfulness to ‘Flight’s’ story whilst still dazzling with his technical expertise during the plane emergency scenes.

Frequently arresting and well-acted ‘Flight’ benefits from the combination of talents. How they are able to make it entertaining and insightful proves taking career risks can sometimes pay off.