Flight Film Review

Rating: 9/10 (2 December 2013)

Flight is a drama film released in 2012. It prominently stars Denzel Washington, other stars include Nadine Velazquez and Don Cheadle. This film takes place in 2011 all over the United States as Denzel Washington plays Whip Whitaker who is a airline pilot.
Flight starts off with Whip Whitaker waking up after a long night of drinking and sex. He then takes cocaine to wake himself up. We then find out he is on his way to the airport to fly an airline jet with 102 passengers. On the plane he proceeds to have three more nips of vodka and then takes off. The plane suddenly goes into a nosedive after a half hour of flight. Whip miraculously gains control and lands the plane in a field which leads to saving 96 of the 102 people. The situation was recreated by a flight simulator and every pilot who attempted to land the plane could not do so. Whip was seen as a hero, however the investigation led to the findings that his blood alcohol level was very high and that there was cocaine in his system. Whip, who is an alcoholic struggles to stay sober and carry out the trial.
The director did a great job with the shots in the film. Being a drama there were many emotional scenes. Whip being an alcoholic his family and friends were constantly giving up on his and leaving him. The close up shots of Whips expressions really gave an emotional feel to the film. It gave the audience a better look into what Whip was feeling making me more attached to him during the movie.
Gender representation in this film was very different. Nadine Velazquez played a very sexual flight attendant. She has sexual relations with Whip as did the other main female in the movie, Kelly Reilly. Kelly played Nicole who was a heroin addict. I found it interesting the two different women portrayed in this film were very opposite, and in the end the imperfect addict was the one who made the most difference in Whips life, trying to lead him away from his problem as she is fighting hers.
I enjoyed this film. I thought it brought a strong message to the viewers about alcoholism. I usually do not enjoy dramas, however this one really made me interested in Whip and what his life would become. I enjoyed the ending as well it gave the movie a good twist. I would recommend this movie.