Considering his usual caliber of
work, it is disappointing that Denzel Washington has been a relatively scarce
presence within this blog (aside from popping up thanks to last February’s Safe House), so one can understand my
excitement over a project like Flight. In addition to the lead actor, this newest
November release represented another highly-anticipated return to the silver
screen, as this R-rated drama also represented the first live-action film from
director Robert Zemeckis in over a decade.
It is no secret that the Holiday box office is usually saturated with critical
heavyweights, so from the volatile subject matter to the ensemble cast, Flight looked primed to deliver. Paramount certainly knew how to sell potential
audiences: the trailer first grabbed your attention with the intensity of the
crash depicted, then teased a far deeper character study that would be executed
with significant style. Flight may not have had the potential to
cash-in like higher-profile releases in the vein of Skyfall and Breaking Dawn –
Part 2, but the reputation of those involved surely made the film deserving
of widespread attention.
Overall
Recommendation: High
While you may be tempted to think
that the main draw of Flight is the
crash that was heavily detailed in promotions, the true brilliance of the film
lies in the character study that follows in the aftermath of the tragedy,
paving the way for a deep story and some hauntingly engaging acting. Make no mistake; even though it represents a
small portion of the film, the plane-crash sequence itself is remarkably
intense and well-worth the price of admission, but the humanity of the
characters involved is what will keep you talking as you leave the theater. Denzel Washington is at the top of his game
as the heroic pilot who struggles with the long-buried inner-demons that are
thrust into the spotlight, and the evolution of his character throughout helps
build genuine empathy with the audience.
Granted, the narrative does drag at certain points and certain story
arcs were introduced and then largely abandoned with little sense of resolve,
but anytime you feel your interest waning, a much-needed shot of adrenaline is
introduced (i.e., scene-stealer John Goodman).
In the end, though its focus may not be exactly what you were expecting,
Flight remains a strong film that
sets a good pace for the upcoming Holiday Season.
