In Robert Zemeckis's
Flight, Denzel Washington stars as Whip Whitaker, a pilot with an
addiction problem who guides a jetliner to the ground after a sudden failure
sends the plane into freefall. Nearly everyone aboard survives and Whitaker is
branded a national hero. Soon after, the pilot's union discovers that he had
alcohol and cocaine in his system, which sends Whitaker's life into a tailspin.
Believing that the crash had nothing to do with his consumption, Whitaker
frantically navigates the shambles of his personal life to avoid dealing with
his own problems. He's assisted by a longtime union friend (Bruce Greenwood)
and lawyer (Don Cheadle) for the airline, both of whom compromise ethical lines
for their friend. He also meets a fellow addict, Nicole (Kelly Reilly), who's
more realistic about the state of her life and tries to help Whitaker recognize
his.
As
a character study and a somber portrait of addiction, Flight works nicely within its commercial framework, thanks largely
to one of Washington's best performances, as well as John Gatins's rhythmic
dialogue. The extent of Whitaker's addiction is a gradual revelation the
filmmakers don't overtly tease out, and Washington strikes a balance somewhere
between the disparate sensibilities of manipulation and benevolence. As Whitaker
becomes more complicit with the large-scale corruption seeking to preserve his
status, he steeps further into rage-infused depression, which allows Washington
to carve out his character's increasingly unbalanced behavior and
self-loathing.
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