Flight follows the story of a airline pilot who saves most of the passengers from certain death and the aftermath of the incident. The twist: though no one could possibly successfully land that plane other than that captain, the pilot was drunk and intoxicated during the hour of heroism.
Denzel Washington delivers a terrific performance as Whip Whitaker, the pilot of the ill-fated plane. As authorities begin to investigate the incident and that alcohol was found in the cabin, we get to see Whitaker's true character. He is a hopeless alcoholic. The film and Washington's performance do paint a true and hopeless picture on just how dire Whip's case of substance abuse is. As all of the right actions were done to protect Whitaker from prison and preserve his image as a hero, all that was necessary to save face was the slightest amount of willpower. Unfortunately for Whip, he did not have it. During the final court case towards the end of the movie, Whitaker can get off free as he is in the clear. However, Whip chooses the path of justice as he declares he is a drunk. He is convicted.
Washington's outstanding performance and portrayal is not meant to be sympathized with. Whitaker is an unlikable man who has led an unfortunate life and as a result, he doesn't deal with his emotions well. However, at the end of the film when we realize Whitaker has been sober in prison for a signifiant time, we see that his inability to tell a lie corrected his inability to will himself away from alcoholism. A fitting conclusion to a powerful film. Conclusion: Worth A Watch
Rating: 7.75/10
