This "Flight" fails to take off..

Rating: 5/10 (12 November 2012)

In his first live action film in 12 years, director Robert Zemeckis brings the story of an impaired pilot flying a stricken airliner to the big screen. As most reviews state, Flight is an excellent examination of character development. And, while the characters are indeed compelling, the overall story goes undeveloped.
Captain William "Whip" Whitaker is an ace pilot who struggles with various substance addictions. After a sleepless night partying with a flight attendant, Whitaker is forced to save his doomed jet as it plummets to the ground. However, the hero is quickly forced to go on the defensive once it becomes known he was intoxicated during the flight.
It is at this point in the movie, approximately 25 minutes in that Flight begins to stall. It quickly transforms from a riveting movie to one of unrealized potential. As the film progresses, it becomes clear that the two lead characters face internal demons that prevent them from leading normal lives. Yet what the movie's writers fail to do is fully develop its characters; never answering these questions
o Why was Whip the one pilot who could land that aircraft? o Is the relationship between Whip and his father the reason he is an alcoholic? o What internal demons is Nicole constantly battling? o Other than a drug dealer, who is Harling Mays?
Despite these character issues the movie could have been a success if it had only taken advantage by comparing and contrasting the lead character – that of an ace pilot and his internal demons.
Unfortunately, Flight succumbs to a predictable ending. And, I was left to exclaim to the remainder of the theatre, "what was the point?"