This looked like a really good movie. I found it to be a pretty basic movie that centered around two really good scenes, the first being the plane crash it begins with and the deposition it ends with. Otherwise, this movie felt like an extremely well-made Above the Influence production.
It hammers home two notions that have already been solidified in my mind: Alcoholism is bad and Denzel Washington is a phenomenal actor (especially when he's playing a Jerkass).
From the get-go, we learn that Captain William "Whip" Whitaker is a high functioning addict as well as an airline pilot. Flying planes across the country while piss-drunk and stoned is what he might subtly describe as "an ordinary day". Still the intense plane crash that he skillfully maneuvers into a crash landing is proof that piloting a plane is when he is in his element. Unfortunately, the opening is the only instance of this. The rest of the movie is a character study of an alcoholic that I'm sure even Charles Bukowski would approve of.
In contrast to the coolheaded tough guys we usually see him play, Washington as Whip is hopelessly addicted to alcohol, willing to lash out at and alienate anyone who says so. That said, the movie is mostly a collection of moments wherein Whip shoots himself in the foot, while he and everyone else comment on his impeccable piloting skills. By the way, the trailer showed all the really relevant parts.
There are other characters, all excellently played and human. Don Cheadle is Whip's appointed lawyer and Bruce Greenwood his old friend, both true professionals who can protect Whip from everything except himself. John Goodman appears as an even older friend of Whip's. The trailers imply that he has bigger role, which he does not. Goodman is amusing, even though his balls out comic relief feels very out of place in the raw reality this movie presents. Another big name I thought would have more of a role is Melissa Leo as the investigator of the plane crash, who proves quite savvy when she finally does get a scene. Kelly Reilly plays a character who is a kindred spirit to Whip, though again, said character feels out of place from the start. James Badge Dale is a One-Scene Wonder as a cancer patient.
All in all, this movie was great in a lot of ways, but it is no stretch for Washington or Robert Zemeckis. Pretty cut and dry for the most part.
Film Well done, but nothing special
This looked like a really good movie. I found it to be a pretty basic movie that centered around two really good scenes, the first being the plane crash it begins with and the deposition it ends with. Otherwise, this movie felt like an extremely well-made Above the Influence production.
It hammers home two notions that have already been solidified in my mind: Alcoholism is bad and Denzel Washington is a phenomenal actor (especially when he's playing a Jerkass).
From the get-go, we learn that Captain William "Whip" Whitaker is a high functioning addict as well as an airline pilot. Flying planes across the country while piss-drunk and stoned is what he might subtly describe as "an ordinary day". Still the intense plane crash that he skillfully maneuvers into a crash landing is proof that piloting a plane is when he is in his element. Unfortunately, the opening is the only instance of this. The rest of the movie is a character study of an alcoholic that I'm sure even Charles Bukowski would approve of.
In contrast to the coolheaded tough guys we usually see him play, Washington as Whip is hopelessly addicted to alcohol, willing to lash out at and alienate anyone who says so. That said, the movie is mostly a collection of moments wherein Whip shoots himself in the foot, while he and everyone else comment on his impeccable piloting skills. By the way, the trailer showed all the really relevant parts.
There are other characters, all excellently played and human. Don Cheadle is Whip's appointed lawyer and Bruce Greenwood his old friend, both true professionals who can protect Whip from everything except himself. John Goodman appears as an even older friend of Whip's. The trailers imply that he has bigger role, which he does not. Goodman is amusing, even though his balls out comic relief feels very out of place in the raw reality this movie presents. Another big name I thought would have more of a role is Melissa Leo as the investigator of the plane crash, who proves quite savvy when she finally does get a scene. Kelly Reilly plays a character who is a kindred spirit to Whip, though again, said character feels out of place from the start. James Badge Dale is a One-Scene Wonder as a cancer patient.
All in all, this movie was great in a lot of ways, but it is no stretch for Washington or Robert Zemeckis. Pretty cut and dry for the most part.