Page 22 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • November 14, 2012 Near-tragedy reveals pilot’s secret in ‘Flight’ by Dennis Seuling “Flight,” which is ostensibly the tale of a pilot heroically saving the lives of nearly 100 passengers, is far more. It is the story of an alcoholic who has managed to mask his addiction and perform his job despite being chained to booze and drugs. Whip Whitaker (Denzel Washington) is a pilot for a commercial airline. Viewers first see him waking up in a hotel room, a naked woman prancing about as he takes a swig from a bottle of warm beer. The audience soon learns he is scheduled to fly a plane that very day. Whip goes through the motions of takeoff matter-offactly, even as he fortifies himself with two mini vodka bottles mixed into orange juice. He is in a waking fog, yet has flown so often, he manages to get the plane off the ground, and later maneuvers it out of rough weather into a calm spot, much to the appreciation of the passengers. When an in-air mechanical problem forces the plane into a dive, Whip seems to snap out of his hangover to take full charge, managing to crash-land the plane, saving most of the passengers and crew. Hailed as a hero, Whip must go through routine questioning after a brief stay in the hospital recuperating from his injuries. He is contacted by old friend and union officer Charlie Anderson (Bruce Greenwood) and lawyer Hugh Lang (Don Cheadle) who explain the political side of the crash. A blood test, taken while Whip was hospitalized, reveals an excessive alcohol level. Because some people died in the crash, he could be facing serious jail time. The depth of Whip’s addiction is revealed as he faces mounting stress over suspicions that his drinking will finally land him in prison. A relationship develops between Whip and Nicole (Kelly Reilly), a young woman he meets in the hospital. Like Whip, Nicole is an addict, though she more readily admits it and is attending AA meetings in an attempt to get permanently sober. The contrast between Nicole and Whip is that he believes his drinking can be stopped at will. Director Robert Zemeckis, who has returned to liveaction filmmaking after a 10-year period making motioncapture features (“The Polar Express,” “A Christmas Carol”), moves the film along briskly and ably builds suspense as Whip’s dark secret teeters on being exposed. The aftermath of the crash, from Whip’s hospitalization to his first, uncomfortable meeting with a lawyer, through his avoidance of the media and his seeking solace in the bottle are handled expertly. Washington singlehandedly shoulders the weight of the movie. There is no single “big” moment for Washington. Rather, he provides a well nuanced portrayal throughout as viewers see his fear escalate amid greater, increasingly intense scrutiny. The plot is complicated by the fact that Whip was under the heavy influence of alcohol while responsible for passengers and crew, but the mechanical defect was not his fault and he did save most of the people aboard. It is brought out several times in the film that no other pilot could have accomplished such a landing. Should Whip be condemned for irresponsibility or revere him for his prowess and courage? That is the underlying theme of “Flight,” which makes it a rich, intelligent picture. It has the typical elements of spectacle and star power, but puts the spotlight on the devastation addiction Airline pilot Whip Whitaker (Denzel Washington) must make split-second decisions to save passengers and crew in ‘Flight.’ can cause to relationships, perceptions, and self-esteem. Washington has made some questionable choices in movie roles in the past, but “Flight” is a welcome departure. The character of Whip is well written and the actor manages to portray inner suffering while maintaining a steady exterior for the world. Divorced, with a son who does not even know him, he is a lost soul without realizing it. In denial about the cause of his miseries, he goes from day to day swigging beer and hard liquor, drawing a boozy veil over the problems he has caused. Rated R, “Flight” is a superb character study of a man whose life is predicated on functioning as a normal individual despite a serious, debilitating disease. Making him an airline pilot rather than a store clerk or shoe salesman amps up the drama, but underscores that any life can be ruined by constant denial.