FLIGHT

US, 2012, 138 minutes, Colour.
Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle, Kelly Reilly, Bruce Greenwood, John Goodman, Melissa Leo.
Directed by Robert Zemeckis.

For many decades, despite some roles as villains, Denzel Washington has been an American icon of decency and values (although he did win an Oscar in 2001 for his corrupt cop in Training day). In Flight he is a much more ambiguous character – and has received another Oscar nomination.

For the first twenty minutes, it looks as though Flight is going to be a disaster movie, an ill-fated flight from Orlando to Atlanta, filmed with vivid intensity (quite alarming actually). Comparisons might be made with Peter Weir’s Fearless and its powerful crash scenes.

But, it is not a disaster film. It is a character study of the pilot, Whip Whittaker, played by Washington, who exercises extraordinary instincts and insights to get the plane down as safely as possible. It is also a moral study since we have seen Whip and his self-indulgent lifestyle, the women, the drink, the drugs, the divorce and alienation from his family, the arrogant self-confidence (quite justified in his piloting) but carrying over into his relating to people. We know that he was drunk during the flight, much to the disapproval of his rather straitlaced co-pilot.

Whip is a media hero for what he has achieved but he keeps out of the limelight. His gauche friend (John Goodman) and his friend and union rep (Bruce Greenwood) are supportive, the former with drugs, the latter with legal aid for the impending inquriry and the revelation that he was drinking on the plane. Don Cheadle is the hotshot, shrewd lawyer brought in to smooth things along.

In the meantime we have been introduced to an alcoholic and addict, Nicole (Kelly Reilly with an American accent), who has collapsed after injecting high-powered heroin and is in the same hospital as Whip. What could have been just another girlfriend role (and in many ways it is) becomes much stronger as Nicole tries to deal with her demons with a job and AA meetings and friends.

But, Whip is erratic, throwing out the alcohol in the house and then stocking up again. The officials find him completely unreliable. Whip is trying to save his life and his job, visiting his co-pilot who is a devout Christian, visiting his family with his son pushing him out of the house, and visiting one of the cabin crew, a good friend, whom he asks to lie for him.

Because of Denzel Washington’s screen image and the increasingly disreputable character he is playing, the audience finds itself torn between the truth and wanting him to be able to get a life. Eventually, he has to appear before the enquiry (presided over by the always effective Melissa Leo).

As the film proceeds, especially from the AA sequence where Nicole feels supported but Whip leaves as a man is testifying about the lies and deceits in his life, it becomes more moralizing. By the end, it is highly moralizing, which may be a bit too didactic for audiences who want their messages conveyed more subtly.

1. The reputation of the film? Denzel Washington’s Oscar nomination? A disaster film? A personal drama? Moral issues and dilemmas?

2. The impact of the special effects? In the plane, the plane falling, the crash? The point of view from the cockpit? Experience of the attendance and the passengers? The aftermath?

3. Ordinary life, Whit, the aftermath of the crash? His house, restaurants, the hotels, the board rooms, meetings? The hearing?

4. The introduction to the Whit, Denzel Washington, his age, experience? The sexual behavior? The flight attendants? The drugs, his drinking? The phone call from his wife, her demands? Alienation from his son? Going to work, his being hung over? Going on board, the copilot and the criticisms, the flight attendants, his girlfriend, the sympathetic friend? His drinking on board, concealing it? The critique by the copilot? The setting for the disaster?

5. The copilot, a straightforward man, religious? His disapproval of Whit? Preparations for the journey? The condition of the plane? The crew? The passengers coming on board? Audience familiarity with the routines before takeoff?

6. The take-off, the fog, the reaction of the passengers, fear? The condition of the plane, the failure of the equipment, Whit’s response? His instructions to the copilot, their being taken on trust, instructions to the flight attendants, contact with flight control? Advice, decisions, the dangers, overturning the plane, gliding, correcting it, the crash landing, the steeple of the church? The strewn wreckage? The Pentecostal minister and the community praying? Whit’s visit? The later visit to the re-constructed wreck? The simulations and the agreement that Whit had saved the plane – and no others could do it?

7. The result, few deaths? Inuries? Whit and his not being severely injured? The copilot? His later visit to the copilot, the blame, his wife, the religious perspective? Charlie and his help, support, the invitation to his friend to bring the alcohol? Whit’s alcohol dependence? The joking?

8. Nicole, her story, the death of her mother, dependence, needing the drugs, the set of the porn movie, her revulsion with the director, actors, the scene? Going home, the landlord and his harassment? Her being ousted? In hospital, meeting with Whit, with the man with the cancer, his dark jokes? The setup for the relationship between Nicole and Whit?

9. The press, television, Whit’s heroics, his avoiding the media? The indication that were questions to be asked?

10. Charlie, the background of the unions, friendship with Whit, talking with him, the issue of responsibilities, alcoholism, the threat of the board meeting, of information?

11. Hugh Lang, from Chicago, top lawyer, working for the unions, getting them off the difficulties? His comments about handling situations, his skills? The initial clash with Whit? Working together? The meeting at the meal? Whit’s behaviour?

12. Whit’s relationship with Nicole? Inviting her home, her settling in, Whit’s confrontation with the land lord? Discussions, the stories, his trusting her, her getting the job, his picking her up? The sexual relationship?

13. His throwing out the alcohol? Then drinking? Nicole and her comments? Her taking him to the AA meeting? The testimonies, her participation, the other people present? The speaker, his words affecting Whit? Whit’s leaving? His unwillingness to face the truth, but facing it later?

14. The preparations for the board meeting, Charlie and Hugh laying down the law, Whit’s promises? His going to visit his wife, her reaction, his pleading? The hostility of his son? Sending Whit away? The visit to the church, the flight attendant, her long friendship, his asking her to lie? Her willingness?

15. His being put in the hotel? Not drinking, the day’s passing, going to the refrigerator? The night before, his desperation, his drinking? Charlie and his calling in Whit’s friend? The cocaine, the effect?

16. The hearing, those attending, the previous discussions by the company board, responsibility, avoiding costs? Charlie and Hugh Lang? The questions to Whit? Ellen Block and her skills, the questions, meeting Whit? Whit and his conscience? The advice? His acknowledging his guilt, responsibility?

17. A year later, Whit in jail, talking with the men, change of heart, encouraging them, the visit of his son, the bequest to his son? Hope?

18. The moral perspectives of the film, responsibility, conscience, justice? The overt American moralising?