Disappointing addition to the cinematic cannon of Robert Zemeckis.
I watched this 10 year old film recently as part of an ongoing odyssey I have concerning the completion of the entire cinematic cannon of work from director Robert Zemeckis. Why is simply strange: After watching and enjoying this year’s Pinocchio (the review of which can be found within my archives) I still couldn’t believe that all these years later and very much looking back to the future as I am oft to do, I’ve been the core audience demographic for a Robert Zemeckis film my entire cinema going life. I treasure with all my film loving heart his Back to the Future trilogy, Forrest Gump, Cast Away and The Polar Express as well genuinely liking his more recent releases and Welcome to Marwen and Allied in particular. The odyssey continued by watching 2015’s The Walk for the first time recently (review is prepared and scheduled for release shortly) and so with 15 films watched of Zemeckis’ total of 22 since his debut in a long ago year of 1978, Flight became number 16 recently.
Or did it?
Halfway through this 138 minute tale of derring-do in an upside down aeroplane I noticed I’d already seen this half of the film before and sadly, it was still as limply uninspired as the first half of the film I’d just seen for the first time. The creation, both inside and outside of the “inverted” (upside down) aeroplane is very good, as are the scenes that follow and the individual introductions to the radically different performances of Bruce Greenwood and John Goodman, masters of their acting craft both. Similarly, our introductions to the crucial roles of Kelly Reilly and Don Cheadle are understated and portentous but, flying in the face of popular opinion of a decade ago and the critical reaction the film received as well as its two Oscar nominations, I felt it lacked the the engaging flair and usual panache of a Robert Zemeckis film.
“Whip Whitaker” (Denzel Washington) Oscar nominated for his central performance as captain and airline pilot Whip Whitaker, Washington is superb as the reckless, unhappy alcoholic living life way beyond the edge. Alcohol, cocaine and weed is the breakfast for this champion hiding behind a forced smile and a pair of aviator sunglasses but reckless, unorthodox or not, his is the steadiest head whilst all around him are losing theirs as their “broken plane” nosedives to certain death for all 102 “souls” on board on this ill fated flight. The way he lands the plane may indeed have been “nothing short of a miracle”, but his troubles have only just begun as his real life is brought to the surface amid the glare of publicity and notoriety, fame and blame and a life he clings to despite it utterly destroying him.
Denzel Washington was overlooked at the 2013 Oscars for his portrayal here as a “drunk, arrogant scumbag” (Daniel Day-Lewis would win for his skin inhabiting performance in Lincoln, directed by Zemeckis’ old friend Steven Spielberg) with John Gatins also nominated yet overlooked in the “Best Screenplay” category with the Oscar going to Quentin Tarantino for Django Unchained.
Flight has echoes of 2016’s Clint Eastwood directed Sully, both in terms of the film itself as well as the recriminations and accusations and courtroom drama that surrounds the either real life dramatisation of Sully, or the fictitious madness surrounding Whip Whitaker. The supporting performances surrounding Denzel Washington’s central portrayal are largely very good with Bruce Greenwood excelling in particular as he fiercely fights his friend’s corner and John Goodman’s cameo could have walked straight off the set of the Coen Brothers The Big Lebowski and is accompanied at all times by the music of the Rolling Stones.
I just didn’t particularly enjoy or care for Flight despite Denzel Washington’s excellent Oscar nominated portrayal.
The Zemeckis odyssey continues! 16 down, 6 to go.
Thanks for reading. Just for larks as always, and always a human reaction rather than spoilers galore. My three most recently published film articles are linked below or there’s well over 100 blog articles (with 300+ individual film reviews) within my archives from which to choose:
“The Walk” (2015)
Astounding true life story through the loving lens of Robert Zemeckis.medium.com
“Cherry” (2021)
A love story that is brilliantly crafted and beautifully grimmedium.com
“Halloween Ends” (2022)
The psycho and the freak show and the end of Michael Myers?medium.com