Flight
Starring: Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle, Bruce Greenwood, John Goodman
Directed By: Robert Zemeckis
Reviewed by Danielle Muir
[rating: 4/5]
This isn’t a story of heroism. Nor is it about the fight for innocence. Despite all the trimmings, the catastrophe of the crash and the skill of the pilot, Flight is a dirty, destructive look at alcoholism, substance abuse, blame and religion. Provocative without being pretentious, this riveting drama surprises without twists, rather choosing to highlight the unrelenting nature of addiction than the spectacular catastrophe of the crash or any other bells and whistles.
Where other dramas would emphasise the enlightenment and redemption of its struggling hero, Flight chooses to forgo this in favour of unexpectedly making Denzel Washington’s pilot is an infuriating and complex character. As the film opens we’re immediately confronted by a double life – bloated William ‘Whip’ Whittacker slouching in bed, sculling the dregs of last night’s alcohol with a naked air hostess reminding him his flight leaves at 9am. Taking a hit of cocaine to ‘straighten himself out’, he struts from his room perfectly composed – pilots outfit pressed and ready to fly. Despite the fact he’s just consumed two illegal substances, has a cabin of lives in his hands and seemingly feels no remorse or guilt – making you realise this is more a ritual than a one off blunder.
Flight is brimming with shining moments that elevate it above most commercial dramas, nestled in amongst the continuing struggle of addiction. The plane crash, a random stairwell encounter with a terminal cancer patient, a lawyer defending a man he believes is despicable and finally, the official hearing of the incident. The supporting characters actually appear quite scarcely, however nicely save the plot from just being one binge after another and Denzel acting like a jerk. Cheadle and Greenwood are strong as the only legal and personal support Whip has (which is continually exhausted as Whip digs his grave deeper), but it’s John Goodman who steals the show in his extended cameo as Whip’s dealer, blazing in and enabling him just so he can remain functioning. The only misfit is the love-interest junkie, who seems to just be a reason to show that Whip actually has a sensitive side in there somewhere. Could have done without her, though.
Those deserving of the highest credit are Denzel and the writers for crafting a character that so narrowly avoids unadulterated hate by his audience. Despite the tense and gripping crash which obviously is the drawcard, this is an emotional drama revolving around an arrogant and defiant man, and you must choose whether his act of heroism outweighs the frustration that stems from his denial. Whip was the only pilot who could have saved the plane from 100% fatalities. But as he stepped onto the flight he emptied 2 mini-bar bottles of vodka into some orange juice, and proceeded to drink it. Should he be persecuted? Should we feel disgust or sympathy? Ultimately the answer is yours to choose. But there’s one thing for sure – it makes for a riveting – albeit conflicted – viewing.
