I talked about the crash sequence for days afterwards

Rating: 9/10 (20 October 2015)

I really liked this, especially the first hour. The section with the plane in a nose dive and the ensuing crash was super exciting and really well executed. I actually talked about it for days afterwards, how calm "Whip" was as he tossed out instructions to his panicking co-pilot and stewardess, inverted the plane and crash landed in a field. It was amazingly well done.
The movie floundered a bit after that, still an interesting and for the most part heart wrenching story, heavy on the drama side of things. Denzel Washington gives a fantastic performance as a veteran pilot who successfully lands a commercial airliner following a disastrous malfunction and is then hailed a hero by the public, but a subsequent investigation threatens to expose his history of substance abuse.
I was also impressed by a terrific back up cast. John Goodman's character provides some (much needed) comic relief as Whip's buddy Harling, the man with the goods, also (as always) enjoyed Don Cheadle and Bruce Greenwood. Someone I didn't know before but who managed to captivate while she was on screen was Kelly Reilly as Whips girlfriend/recovering addict. I'd initially been wondering why they were showing her parallel story arc.
I did find this movie interesting in how all sides get their lawyers together and try to blame each other; the airline, the parts manufacturer etc all hoping not to have to pay and trying to blame the pilot who regardless of if he was drunk or not, the plane broke and he saved lives.
And in an alcoholics fantasy sort of way all the shots of the alcohol look particularly delicious; as its poured down the sink on the farm and the Shangrila-ish mini bar in the hotel. Great movie. 10/5/15