Oscar caliber performance from Denzel

Rating: 6/10 (9 February 2013)

Flight is a powerful return to live action filmmaking for Robert Zemeckis, whose last live action film was the superior and more memorable film Cast Away.
The film's opening shows airline pilot Whip Whitaker, played by the one and only Denzel Washington, waking up from a one night stand with a flight attendant. Right away the film portrays him as a troubled and unlikable character as he snorts cocaine, just moments before he is due to fly a passenger plane. We are then introduced to a desperate junkie Nicole, played by the under used actress Kelly Reilly, her character soon overdoses which leads to a fateful encounter with Denzel's character later on. The film cuts back to Denzel's character as he takes flight, which soon leads to a terrifying, worst case scenario when Whip's plane has technical failures. The moments of intense fear and helplessness during the doomed flight will have you stunned and on the edge of your seat. Probably one the most realistic and electrifying depictions of a plane crash on the silver screen I've seen in a long time. It's a shame that the film doesn't have quite the same momentum once it hits land.
After the crash the film brings us to the hospital where Whip wakes up from a concussion, he doesn't remember much other than knowing the plane went down. Numerous of reporters and police agents surround the building wanting answers. He then meets Nicole who survived the overdose and instantly they bond and support each other during their hardship. Whip's flaws come to light as he struggles to admit and come to terms with alcoholism, the film throws you head first into that shady lifestyle. There is a rich character study throughout the rest of the film of Whip's constant battles with his own demons, coming to terms with the crash. The experience was distressing and frustrating and nothing you enjoy watching or find entertaining, but its gripping hold on you makes you glue to the screen to see how it's all going to end.
The performances were all great, but this is Denzel Washington's vehicle. He gives the most nuanced performance of his career; you believe every second of his portrayal and embodies his character. His Oscar nomination is much earned. Kelly Reilly is so mesmerizing to watch on screen and this is probably her most meaty role since Eden Lake. She has been on the back burner for way too long now and deserves a breakout-leading role. The film has an impressive supporting cast as well that include Don Cheadle, John Goodman, Bruce Greenwood and Melissa Leo.
Director, Robert Zemeckis has had such a diverse string of movies over the years, my favorite being Forrest Gump. This is proof that he can direct just about any type of genre, even though as a whole Flight isn't his most striking efforts, but he definitely hasn't lost his touch. Writer, John Gatins has the magic touch for human drama and has a pretty decent resume so far as he wrote screenplays for Hardball, Coach Carter, Dreamer, Real Steel, but Flight definitely is the film to put him on the map to hopefully even better films.
Overall, Flight isn't a film I will want to return to anytime soon and it leads to a too predictable and sentimental conclusion. Denzel's compelling and powerful performance, solid writing and a return to live motion pictures from Robert Zemeckis is granted at least one viewing.