An engrossing story of redemption, religion, rehabilitation and being a kick-ass pilot. Denzel Washington skilfully balances arrogance and vulnerability as our recession-era hero struggling to dig himself out of the hole he has drunk his way into.
Flight has a strong cast, although it buys into a few character cliches, and the cinematography is as boring as it gets so the film then depends heavily on having interesting dialogue and a plot with substance. Thankfully, there is substance...or at least...there's substance abuse! Throw in a love story and some gratuitous nudity and you know you're watching a Hollywood-friendly film.
It is nothing new to see drugs on screen, but the topic of alcohol dependency is not often explored with great depth. I appreciate that Zemeckis presents us with a range of attitudes to alcoholism, and also demonstrates how high-functioning an addict can be. His approach is to raise questions and provide opposing arguments - which is certainly more engaging than giving clear-cut answers. His account of alcoholism and how it affects lives felt fair. However, this film also raises a lot of questions about destiny, fate, and the mysterious hand of God - but without the same follow-through. I felt cheated that such a rich subject was introduced and given such little consideration.
Flight has a lot going for it, and also several things going against it. Its use of music provides the perfect analogy: the soundtrack's soul and Motown hits add to the pathos of several scenes. Rather than admiring this, though, I felt it was a tired technique employing tired songs. Where's the element of surprise? Invention? Why does a black character have to like music by black artists that is popular with white folk?
See how this film raises more questions than answers?!
See this film if you wish to ponder life and are sympathetic to compulsive behaviour, or if you want to see Don Cheadle steal every scene he's in.
One last question: Zemeckis has a lot of films that involve planes. What's with it, dude?
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