Monday, November 5, 2012

Flight

Let me tell you about a movie I love that I never anticipated loving. This film tells the story about a man lost. He’s not hidden, but rather drowning in public.

Whip Whitaker is a man who enjoys the life. The life of a middle aged bachelor, commercially piloting his way around the globe, banging stewardesses in whatever city he happens to be laid over in. He caps the night with whiskey, vodka, beer – whatever. And jumps his morning with a line (or two) of premium blow. But inside, he’s completely vacant. An empty shell of a man, using substances to distract himself from his long ago failed marriage and current status as an absentee father.

That, my friends, is what Robert Zemeckis’ fantastic new film, Flight is about. It’s a character study about a broken man. Everything you’ve presumably heard about the film – the plane crash, the subsequent legal proceedings, and so on – are backdrop. They act solely as conductors for the damaging electricity keeping Whip charged.

Don’t get me wrong, the backdrop is important, but I just want to make clear that it’s not the crux. The trailer for this film in no way represents what the final film is. Flight is that increasingly rare studio film that gets everything right. Everything. It’s as fine and unexpected a cinematic achievement as I could’ve hoped to view this year.

And hell, I haven’t even described what the damn thing is about.

Early in Flight, we are privy to a horrifically suspenseful 20-minute crash sequence in which a commercial airplane malfunctions, and its heavily intoxicated pilot implements ballsy tactics to land it as safely as possible. It’s the most accurate airplane crash scene since, well, Zemeckis’ own Cast Away.
After the crash, Whip’s union rep, Charlie (played by Bruce Greenwood, a perfect actor), and Whip’s union lawyer, Hugh (Don Cheadle, another perfect one) quickly inform him that, because his toxicology report makes clear that he was fucked up while flying, he could soon be facing charges for manslaughter.

So there’s your plot: pilot with a drinking problem gets in hot water after his plane goes down. But people, believe me, that ain’t the half of it. Look closer and Flight is as daring an alcoholism drama as we’ve had in recent memory. I’ve talked about this before, but, to crudely summarize, Flight makes drinking and drug taking look fun, because, you know… it is. A lot of movies get that aspect right, but what’s far more difficult to convey is the side of addiction that takes hold once the fun stops.

In his best performance since The Hurricane, Denzel Washington proves that he still has what it takes to completely floor us. Whip is funny, pathetic, self-loathing, and in complete disarray, all things Washington executes with utter conviction. To put it simply: he goes all in here, which is something I honestly didn’t know he still had in him. At the risk of being presumptuous, I would be very surprised if another male lead acting performance trumps this one as my favorite of the year. He’s that good.

To be honest, I could dedicate paragraph upon paragraph to the acting feats in this film. From Cheadle’s fearless lawyer, to Greenwood’s compassionate friend, to Kelly Reilly’s emotionally mislaid love interest, to John Goodman’s uproarious drug dealer, to James Badge Dale’s single stolen scene in a hospital stairwell; every person involved is on point.
Perhaps the true glory belongs to Robert Zemeckis, the man responsible for such timelessness as Back to the Future and Forrest Gump. Flight marks his first live action film in 12 years, and his first R-rated picture since 1980’s Used Cars. The material for the film (as penned superbly by John Gatins) isn’t something I would expect Zemeckis to take interest in. But as he said in a recent interview, the R rating for Flight was as essential as the G rating for his Polar Express. I suppose, like most all people, Zemeckis is attracted to fine writing. And, in Flight’s case, we’ll be reaping the benefits of that for a long while to come.

That’d be a good place to end, but I have a little more. Please, don’t be turned off by Flight’s very sudden, sometimes drastic shifts in tone. There is a scene, for example, in which Whip demands to be livened up from his debilitating hangover by snorting several lines of cocaine. The scene is funny (hilarious even) until it’s not. In moments like these, I think Zemeckis is saying, “Yeah, it’s okay to laugh now, but that’s not going to stop me from showing you pain in mere seconds.” To me, that’s life. Funny to sad, hot to cold.

The opening scene of this film is memorable for a number of reasons, none of which I’ll discuss in detail. It ends on a humorous note, and has you excited for more. The final scene is, quite honestly, as touchingly devastating as anything I’ve witnessed on film this year. My point is, from opening shot to final frame, Flight has you.

28 comments:

  1. Great review man. Just saw this, and Washington gives a wonderful performance. James Badge Dale was superb too, but Oscar won't go there. I didn't like the film as much as you did, but it's very good. Can't wait to see what happens to it this awards season.

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    1. Thanks! Wouldn't it be fucking EPIC if the Academy said screw it and gave Dale a Supporting Actor nom? Never happen, but man, whatta scene.

      I loved everything about this flick. It spoke to me on a number of levels. Hope it racks up some noms!

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  2. Good review of Flight. This movie presents a very accurate depiction of alcoholism/addiction, in my opinion. Many people I have encountered over the years are very similar to Whip...they have jobs, they have a home, they are hollow inside, and living in denial. The emptiness is filled with alcohol and drugs. And then one day, if they are fortunate, the lies become too much and a bottom is reached. This movie depiction helps me remember where I came from. For that reason, I found this movie remarkably spot on.




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    1. Lovely comment here. Thanks for leaving it. For similar reasons to yours, I found Flight to be bold and accurate in all the best ways. It got it right. Period.

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  3. Hmm, I don't hold this one in as high regard as you do. Maybe it's because of Kelly Reilly's character suddenly being all better and the moral tentpole when she's with Whip, Zemekis' choice of music being too on point (Sympathy for the devil intro for Goodman's character, or the oddly placed religious overtones especially with his Co-pilot. I think it's a very solid entry, especially now that you point out the 'it all looks like fun, until...' angle, and Washington owns the role but it was just a tad too long, meandering at times with too much of a oddly pat ending (Come-on do you really think he would've done that in the end?) for the tone of the rest of the film. Solid but flawed for myself. However, I will add that if a movie makes a slow zoom of a bottle as tension filled as a plane crash sequence then it is doing something right.

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    1. I get your slight aversion to the film. You brought up a lot of good points, no doubt. As for the music, I've honestly never been miffed if the music in a film is spot on. If it works, then it works, you know? I got a lot of shit from people for using a Radiohead song in my short film. People said the lyrics mirrored the character's actions too closely. Which was, you know, the point. Ha, anyway.

      Now, as for your comment about the end. I'm not going to discuss it in detail here, because it'd be a sin to ruin, but, yes I do think he would've done that. One of my closest friends (who I suspect left the Anonymous comment above) is in recovery and we spoke at great length about this movie last night. That person said that everything in Flight is accurate. Everything. For most addicts, their entire life is a lie. They become expert at lying, much like Whip did. Now, usually (or, rather, hopefully), the lying builds up to the point where they can't take it anymore, and they crack. If they don't "come out" and tell the truth, then they're libel to end up dead. I saw two options for Whip, and what he did was one of them precisely.

      So, yeah, for that reason and many others, Flight worked for me.

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    2. Wow, alright fair enough, great personal story about your friend. I wish him/her all the best in their rehab and moving forward.

      I guess if Zemekis had made it less clear where he was going to go in that scene, it would've hit as more true. Again solid just not quite all the way there for myself.

      BTW If you liked this, man are going to love Smashed, I feel that is much more personal and thus harder hitting than Flight. That could be another reason why this one didn't do it for me, because I had just seen this senario done better a day before. Thanks for the personal and heartfelt story and commenting on my site!

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    3. Thank YOU for reading and responding so kindly. Dude, I cannot wait for Smashed. I have no idea when the hell it is coming out though. Their website says it is already in DC, but it isn't. Bummer.

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  4. As you know from twitter, I liked the movie a lot. It's surprisingly daring and layered. Upon reflection though, I find there's something slightly inelegant about how the screenplay was constructed. That being said, it's a brilliant character study and Denzel knocks it out of the park.

    Btw, I read this article about the competitive Best Actor race that you may like: http://tomshone.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/oscar-futures-best-actor.html

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    1. Inelegant... that's interesting. I'd be curious to hear more (though not publicly on my comment section, please - don't want to ruin the flick for other people!) I thought everything about the script was perfect.

      Great article about the Best Actor race. The Playlist did something last week, asking if anyone could beat John Hawkes for The Sessions (my answer: uhh... yes). Hopefully it's a good awards year!

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    2. Don't worry it's just a minor feeling that I can't really put my finger on. I still think the script is strong.

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    3. Gotcha. Heading over to your review now.

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  5. Great review! I didn't know before that Zemeckis directed it. Sounds like my kind of movie. I'll put this on my watch list!

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    1. Nice! Be curious to hear what you think. It is fantastic.

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  6. Good review Alex. The storm didn't really take me by storm, as much as Washington's performance did and in all honesty, think it's one that deserves an Oscar. However, he will probably just get nominated and that's fine with me.

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    1. Thanks Dan. This movie definitely took me by storm, and dear God, at the very least, give Denzel the nomination. Although he deserves to win.

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  7. Love your review, Alex, makes me want to watch it again already! "Drowning in public." What a beautiful description. Flight reminded me a bit of Shame in ways - watching the heart-breaking extremes one goes through to hide an addiction.

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    1. Thanks! I love writing about movies that have themes of addiction, and I think your comparison to Shame is fair in a lot of ways. Both genuinely portrayed "what it is like," for lack of a better phrase. I really want to see Flight again too!

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  8. Awesome review, one of your best! I can't wait to see this one, I love movies about addiction. I'm a bit worried Zemeckis directed it, though, I've never been a fan of his.

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    1. Aw thanks so much, Sati! I was very worried about Zemeckis' direction, and I can tell you, it exceeded my harshest preconceived notions and then some. Amazing feat.

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  9. Flight is that type of movie that I have heard of, but don't know anything about. Now I am very curious- I skimmed through your review and I was intrigued, plus you have it an A, so that's something. I will be definitely checking this out! Thanks!

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    1. Nice! This was a very rare major Hollywood film that completely got everything right. It is daring, true to life, and mercilessly unflinching. I'd expect it to be in my Top 5 of the year. Hope you get a chance to check it out.

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  10. Dude, I really liked this film...and I feel like I am going to be defending myself, too. D.W is extraordinary. His performance is enough to straight up recommend it, but there are some provocative layers of drama to this film, too.

    I was so conflicted throughout. He is such a flawed hero. Beneath his heroism is a dark cloud. On one hand we understand that this needs be made public. On another we don't want it to be.

    Not so keen on a few things - the romantic subplot, the music choices - but I am with you on James Badge Dale's cameo. Man steals the scene. He's a chameleon.

    Oh, and who will ever forget that opening scene.

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    1. Nice! Really glad you enjoyed this one. I honestly have not been able to get it out of my head since I first saw it. A rare Hollywood production that, in my eye, got it all right.

      I was definitely conflicted too. Didn't know if I should care about the guy or not, but man oh man, did I ever.

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  11. I always think Zemeckis won the Oscar for the wrong film. Cast Away, Flight, Back to the Future, Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Contact (in order) are much better (in my opinion) than Forrest Gump. Plz, a grade for every of this films.

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    1. I agree with you. I've given Forrest Gump a higher grade on this site before, but it'd probably be a B for me now.

      Of the Zemeckis films I've seen:

      I Wanna Hold Your Hand: B-
      Back to the Future: A-
      Who Framed Roger Rabbit: A
      Back to the Future Part II: A-
      Back to the Future Part III: C+
      Forrest Gump: B
      Contact: B+
      What Lies Beneath: B+
      Cast Away: A-
      The Polar Express: D+
      Beowulf: D
      A Christmas Carol: D
      Flight: A

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    2. His next movie sounds pretty good, good cast, interesting story and in 3D. But the trailer looks pretty bad. Probably will not be as good as Man on Wire.

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    3. Well, keep in mind that the special effects on effects-heavy movies are not complete when the trailer is released. So hopefully the FX will be more refined for the final product. I doubt it'll be as good as Man on Wire, but few modern films are.

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