FLIGHT
R
138 Minutes
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Writer: John Gatins
Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle, John Goodman
I'm too high
But I ain't left the ground
I'm too high
I'm too high
I hope I never ever come down
-Stevie Wonder TOO HIGH (1973)
Cast
Whip Whitaker...Denzel Washington
Don Cheadle...Hugh Lang
John Goodman...Harling Mays
Kelly Reilly...Hooker/Heroin Addict/Nobel Laureate
And Now For Your In-Flight Entertainment
Captain Whitaker flies for Generic Airlines. He's a complete burnout with no redeemable qualities. After a long night of screwing, drinking, and snorting with a common harlot. The captain was ready to fly a large commercial aircraft. He woke up, put on some aviator sunglasses, and 'winged', what would turn out as his most difficult flight. In the midst of violent turbulence, he performed some breathtaking aeronautical heroics.
In the aftermath, his co-pilot lost the use of his legs, and a few people died. No biggie, everyone else is cool, they survived. In summary: a complete tragedy—prevented by one magnificent man.
His heroics became less impressive, (one could argue more impressive) when the toxicology report came in. Whip was drunk and high on cocaine, while saving all those lives. This negates everything: at least that was the main premise.
Since he was such a hardcore alcoholic; I assumed Mister Whitaker had endured great life tragedy, like his son accidentally died after huffing model airplane glue. Only knowing he has a problem with alcohol isn't satisfying. If there's no reason for the constant drunkenness. Then part of the movie is missing.
I like Denzel. Denzel Washington, not the other Denzel. But he's never played a convincing bad guy. Maybe it's the smile, but even in TRAINING DAY (2001), and AMERICAN GANGSTER (2007). He seems ineffective at playing unsavory characters. I've called Will Smith 'the black Tom Hanks'. It's clear to me now, Denzel is better suited for that label.
I Get High With A Little Help From My Friends
Like THE FLINTSTONES MOVIE (1994), John Goodman was the best part of this film. Playing a 'Tennille-like' figure to the captain. He was Whitaker's drug dealer, alcohol supplier, and accomplice/confidant. On the day of an important hearing. After Whip has been drinking all night. Harling gets called in to 'resuscitate' him. He does this with almost scientific-like precision, with spaced out doses of cocaine, in many of its forms.
If we can learn anything from Darryl Strawberry: don't show up to a hearing drunk and coked out. Things won't turn out very well. The story concludes with Whip testifying at a hearing. He breaks down, and finally takes responsibility:
'I'm drunk right now, because I'm an alcoholic.'
A watchable movie that isn't very satisfying. This is one film the FAA should have never cleared for landing; FLIGHT is about as unimaginative as that analogy.
No, wait...I can come up with something better. Bette Midler might say, 'there is no wind beneath the wings of this movie'.
Final Boarding Call
Watch this on a long plane ride on your laptop. If only to see the horrified look on the guy's face sitting next to you. Priceless.
Final Verdict: 65 out of 100
