THE LAST FLIGHT/ LE DERNIER VOL

France, 2009, 98 minutes, Colour.
Marion Cotillard, Guillaume Canet, Guillaume Marquet.
Directed by Karim Dridi.

The Last Flight is a spectacular-looking film. However, the story is very slight, familiar with the legionnaires in the desert, the colonial conflicts, the anxious woman searching for the pilot, the search.

The film draws some strength by the performances of its stars, Guillaume Canetand Marion Cotillard. The film will be more interesting for a French audience, with memories of its colonial period and its presence in North Africa and the resistance and uprisings of the local tribes.

1. An aviation film? In an exotic setting? For a French audience? World wide audience?

2. The African Desert locations? The beauty of the deserts, oases, the sand dunes? The moods of the desert, changing weather, the storms, the sand? The musical score?

3. The foreign legion, their presence in North Africa? The Tuareg tribes? The colonial attitudes of the French? commanding officer? The legionnaires? The response of the tribes? Uprisings? Attacks and battles?

4. The picture of the camp, the French, the locals, command? Strategies? The personnel? The resources and managing in the desert? Communications with authorities?

5. Antoine and his presence, reasons for being in the desert, use of experience, with the locals, his relationship with the local girl? Acceptance of this relationship? The attitude of the commander? His discussions with the commander, disagreements, the commander and his confining Antoine? Criticisms?

6. The situation with the lost plane? Aviation issues? The planes of the period? Strengths, limitations? Risks taken?

7. The story of the pilot, family background, relationship with Marie, hoping that she would rescue him?

8. Marie, flying in, her skill as a pilot, the discussions with Vincent, his strict following of regulations, her clashes with him? The discussions with Antoine, trying to persuade him? Her going out of the camp, having to return?

9. Antoine, his decision to go with Marie, with the locals? The conflict with the commander?

10. The details of the track, searching, the clashes, the death of the legion air? The rebellion? The continued journey? The day's passing? Becoming tired, the camels, the death of one of the camels, both riding the one?

11. The storm, disorientation? The continued searching? Deprivations, ultimately, death?

12. Information about the aftermath, their being close to the area, the diary of the pilot and his experience is waiting for rescue, the death?