Brilliant yet subversive

Rating: 5/10 (12 July 2019)

Flight is a brilliant, engrossing, well-acted (and very long) movie. For entertainment value, I'd give it 10. But overall, 5. Why?
Pilots have criticised the actual flight and crash sequence for being unrealistic. They have a point. For what must have been a very high budget movie about flying, it's a major fault to not have involved pilots as aviation consultants in ensuring this sequence was more realistic. For example, real pilots apparently do not *ever* get into any kind of smart talk or chat during the takeoff phase; they stick 100% to business. There is also no 'Mayday' call during the emergency. The emergency sequence can well be (and has been) criticised on a technical level, but in terms of movie excitement is second to none. Indeed, it is overwhelming and tear-jerking. I applaud the movie-makers for this, and can excuse most shortcomings on the basis of drama.
The majority of this movie though is stick-to-your-seat non-stop enthralling. What bugs me about it though is the heavy Hollywood narrative. African Americans are the greatest lovers, the greatest aviators, although flawed (like all of us), ultimately the most moral and truthful people. White men, exemplified by the co-pilot, are weak, emotional idiots, or white women attracted to supposedly gorgeous African American men. P-lease! I'm just so sick of this being rammed down my throat no-stop.