FLIGHT

Denzel Washington, Bruce Greenwood,

Don Cheadle, John Goodman, Kelly Reilly

Cinema 1, Shang Cineplex

Denzel Washington shines in his role as Capt. Whip Whitaker, a washed out pilot who is battling alcoholism in "Flight". This is one of his most complex, least sympathetic character to date and he gives a towering performance by dominating the film as he struggles to confront his life, his conscience and his various responsibilities. 

The first part where the horrifying plane crash occurs is gripping, edge of your seat action.  I mean after seeing that scene, I was just thankful I wasn't a passenger on that fateful flight. 

 
Sadly, the rest of the film loses momentum as it follows Whip's self-destructive alcoholism as he is caught up in an investigation into the cause of the plane crash. An addiction which he openly denies as well meaning friends try to help him and are spurned. Eventually he alienates his friends and family and seeks comfort through a stranger named Nicole (Kelly Reilly).

This is where the film runs into further problems. It wastes far too much screen time developing Nicole's character, only to drop her midway just when she developed some relevance.  Her character isn't all that interesting to begin with, and the same can be said for most of the rest of the characters.

The only redeeming factor would be Washington's fine performance as the embattled Capt. Whip, a truly flawed character who painfully seeks to extricate himself from the many demons haunting his life.