Wish I'd known nothing about this going in...

Rating: 9/10 (26 February 2013)

I understand the need for TV spots and theatrical trailers to promote films. They need to show something to get people to the movie and get a return on the investment. But the trailers for Flight are typical in the way they reveal far too much about the movie. Reviews reveal too much. Interviews with crew and actors reveal too much. All of this lessens the impact of the story's narrative. most movies are like this and Flight is no exception. The medium of film relies on images that refute each other and stand in contrast to each other, which creates tension, shock, drama. For instance, having seen the trailers and read up on the movie, it came as no surprise that seconds after Whip snorts lines of coke he's exiting his hotel room dressed in his pilot uniform. That is a great cut! Ruined! What's more: the Academy Awards (sorry, "Oscars") chose to use the film's climactic scene, the NTSP hearing, to showcase Denzel Washington's performance. The brief clip they used GAVE AWAY THE ENDING OF THE FILM. Prior to this scene, you have this rather shocking scene in which Whip's union rep, his lawyer, and his coke dealer get him "ready" for the hearing after a night of binge drinking by paying for the dealer's drugs and services. The only reason this scene exists is to cast doubt on Whip's testimony. Will he do the right thing? Well if you watched the Oscars, you already know. It's criminal. And frustrating. Another note on the best actor race, which Denzel lost to Daniel Day-Lewis. I think Denzel's performance here is so much more powerful in how he shrinks himself and takes risks and sheds all of his Denzel-ness. It's hard to measure a performance to say who should "win." But I don't believe Day-Lewis' performance carries Lincoln. It's a combination of elements: the history, Tommy Lee Jones, Sally Field. But with Flight, Denzel carries it. His role and performance carries it.