Certainly a critical darling. Well made drama with some pacing issues

Rating: 7/10 (30 November 2012)

There are a few films releasing now that it is plain and simple they will receive the Oscar nods. I think Flight is certainly one of those. It reeks critics favourite. Strong cast, male lead that everyone loves, brilliantly talented film maker, and an ethical debate for the ages wrapped in a strong emotionally driven story. All those things including the fact that critics love it doesn't necessarily make it a good film. It is, however, a good film. I don't feel like its a great film but it is definitely good. The story is excellent but the pacing for the film just seems off. I think some better editing to bring the film down to even a tidy two hours would have been plenty. The massive 2 1/2 hour length was simply not necessary. I felt like there was a number of scenes that simply could have been avoided. As many reviewers pointed out, and even a lengthy thread in the forums, the opening scene where Nadine Velazquez walks around completely naked making sure we see her at every angle. It was gratuitous and completely pointless and I'm really surprised that Zemeckis bothered with the scene.
I enjoy Denzel Washington. However, I often find his performances as of late very egotistical. Fortunately for him this particular role required exactly that. His character is a damaged, egotistical man with very little redemptive qualities. He really does a great job and will likely get an Oscar nod for it. Kelly Reilly is Washington's love interest and a recovering drug addict. She does alright although her performance lacks the same depth as Washington's does. They have good chemistry and I understand why her character was important and yet her entire story arc was more fodder that could have been cut or reduced significantly. Tamara Tunie does an excellent job in her role as a respected flight attendant. I would have liked to have seen more from her character. She was really great. Bruce Greenwood nails his performance as Washington's friend and mentor. The two of them play off each other easily and with excellence. Don Cheadle is very good as the straight laced brilliant lawyer. This is one character they should have spent more time on and gotten rid of some of the other filler. As much as I like John Goodman I thought he played one of the characters that was simply unnecessary.
Robert Zemeckis is probably one of the most brilliant directors. He has created two of my favourite films of all time and a handful of other truly brilliant classics. This, in my opinion, was a far cry from a Zemeckis film. It was a powerful story and had some really moving moments but there just felt like so much there that didn't need to be. The pacing was simply off. The crash scene was intense and brilliant and so well done and parts of the film are extremely well done. It could have been huge and for me, entertainment wise, it was just good and falls short of really great. 7/10