Denzel Washington bails out a painfully slow movie with an incredible performance

Rating: 6/10 (18 February 2013)

"Nobody could've landed that plane like I did," Captain 'Whip' Whitaker (Denzel Washington) proclaims in "Flight". The same declaration applies for the performance Washington puts on in Director Robert Zemickis's film. "Flight", despite its painfully sluggish pace, captivates audiences thanks to a gripping storyline and a haunting performance from Denzel Washington.
The morning after a sleepless night filled with drugs and a dangerous amount of alcohol, Captain Whitaker shoots some cocaine to straighten up for his short routine flight to Atlanta. When a mechanical failure forces an emergency landing in a field, Whip's flying expertise (and possibly some creativity from a stiff midflight cocktail) glides the plane to a smoother landing than anyone thought possible. After controversial toxicity tests reveal the state the pilot was in during the flight, Captain Whitaker finds himself torn between hiding the truth to remain a hero or facing his problems head on for the first time and losing his newfound fame.
The special effects used in "Flight" produce quite the visual spectacle during the plane crash. Views from behind and inside the plane, along with from the ground, are used to communicate the gravity of the situation that the one hundred and two passengers and crew are in. Passengers and luggage are thrown around the cabin as the plane disintegrates in midair, eventually crashing through a church steeple and "landing" in a field. The realistic portrayal of such an intense situation brings the audience right inside the cabin with the passengers.
Unfortunately, the mesmerizing special effects only carry the movie so far. After the plane crash, there is little action to speak of. The impressive visuals that kick off the movie fade away, and a more psychological mood takes over the movie. Whip's efforts for physical and mental recovery last what seems like ages in the two hours of movie time after the plane crash. The dragged out character analysis of Captain Whitaker left me reaching for the "eject" button over and over. However, I was brought right back in every time by Denzel Washington's heart wrenching performance.
Denzel Washington's incredibly believable portrayal of Whip's struggle for sobriety draws audiences in and holds their attention throughout this long movie. Washington conveys that struggle effortlessly and subtly, particularly through his body language and eyes. His performance is complemented by the fact that writer John Gatins tells the story from a third party observer rather than from Whitaker's perspective. Being allowed in to see each event as the other characters in the movie do, audiences truly become emotionally invested in Whip's life.
"Flight" takes moviegoers on quite a ride as they watch Captain 'Whip' Whitaker struggle with substance abuse, fame, and regret after his heroic emergency plane landing. Though this can seem drawn out at times, hold on and fasten your seatbelts for an ending as jarring as the crash that starts the movie.