Flight is a 2012 production, directed by Robert Zemeckis from a script written by John Gatins, starring Denzel Washington, which tells the story of an alchoolic pilot who is forced to face his addiction after a plane crash threatens to end his career. Dramatic, surprising and moving, Flight ticks almost every box in the filmmaking to do list and is put in the spotlight with the help of a great performance by Washington.
Script-wise, I thought it was cleverly written- the characters were interesting and real; the story, built around the accident and an inevitabile trial, didn't actually focus on them, but more on the development of the characters; and the climax, the deposition, was emotional to watch. I liked the way they wrote and showcased the crash experience, or how we could see the ups and downs of Whitaker's state, and the ending was surprisingly sweet.
Another strong point for Flight was the casting. I especially loved Don Cheadle and John Goodman, both brought something interesting and different to the table, but my favorites were definitely Kelly Reilly and Denzel Washington. Kelly Reilly was a revelation for me- sweet, talented, peculiar and exceptionally beautiful, she shined throughout the film and I wished I saw more of her. And what can I say about Washington? He is, after all, one of the best actors of our generation, and he nailed this part, perfectly illustrating different sides of a broken man who is caught up on an addiction that could potentially ruin him. He definitely deserves his place in the top 5 actors of 2012-2013 awards season.
From a filmmaking point of view, everything was well-executed. Considering it is a modern story, there's nothing much to say about the sets or costumes, but I did like the direction and the way they shot the air accident. The soundtrack was remarkable- I especially loved the use of Under the Bridge by RHCP.
I thought Flight, overall, is a very good movie that is both interesting and moving, one that features wonderful performances and an emotional story. I highly recommend it, it's one of this year's most underrated films!
p.s. Special mention for the lovely patient in the hospital who's line I still remember: "My cancer might get cancer"
