Not what I expected

Rating: 8/10 (17 January 2013)

Lots of spoilers - do not read if you have not seen the movie.
Of course, who does not love Denzel??? If you don't love him you should be banned from viewing anything on IMDb! He gives his usual stirring performance - this time as a addict (alcohol & drugs). I thought that this would be one of those "the man rips off the little guy" types of stories that are so popular - can you say Occupy Hollywood?
Surprisingly, they portrayed this alcoholic for what he was - even though extremely skilled at his craft - and saving many people - he was a risk and an out of control person who was betraying the public's trust.
The saving grace for the movie was when he makes the conscious decision to turn things around at the end. I am involved in a Bible study on temptation - and we discussed how sinners (& that includes all of us) have many opportunities to flee from temptation & sin & how, in most cases, we make the conscious decision to keep sinning. At the very end of the movie Denzel makes a fateful decision - and enables us to leave on a hopeful note. Who knows? maybe we can turn it around also.
Not many of Hollywood's "finest" would have taken a role where his character is so totally despicable, but Denzel is unafraid (did you see Training Day?) (If not you should). He is willing to do this because he is a man of character - a devoted Christian (as much as any of us can tell). I have yet to see one of his movies that I did not like.
If you read this - I assume you saw it - and enjoyed it. Take care DonB