Washington Takes Flight.

Rating: 9/10 (16 December 2015)

Flight (2012): Dir: Robert Zemeckis / Cast: Denzel Washington, Kelly Reilly, Don Cheadle, John Goodman, Melissa Leo: Surprisingly tense drama about a flight that goes terribly wrong but the title also references the idea of freedom of sin. In this case Denzel Washington plays a pilot whose plane goes down within the midst of a nasty storm but the aftermath is a media frenzy over the news that he was drunk and had done cocaine the evening before. What is truly intriguing is that the screenplay avoids the regular straight forward storyline and examines two individuals. Washington gives a top notch performance as a pilot lying to himself about his addictions. He is estrange from his ex-wife and son and addresses anxiety through alcohol. In a great supporting role is Kelly Reilly as a drug addict whom Washington encounters at the hospital after he awakens. She rooms with Washington when her landlord becomes aggressive. It is interesting to view the transgression between the two individuals. In other roles are Don Cheadle as a lawyer out to present this as an act of God and avoiding any presentation of alcohol. John Goodman provides comic relief as someone who provides drugs to Washington particularly during one hilarious revival scene in a hotel room. Melissa Leo also steals moments in a smaller role as an investigator. The religious elements regarding the co-pilot is weak and overly corny but director Robert Zemeckis provides a tremendous first act of a plane going down and a man who must comes to terms with his situation and take flight from its stronghold. Score: 9 / 10