Denzel Washington flies into turbulence in Flight

If you are a fan of Denzel Washington movies where he flexes a little muscle and flashes that wide grin of perfect pearly whites to save the day and win the girl, then you won’t like Washington’s newest movie, Flight.

In Flight Washington is not a desirable character, even though he is dashing in his pilot’s uniform. Washington plays airline captain Whip Whitaker who, after a night of sex, alcohol and drugs, must pilot an out-of-control plane and then answer many questions after a crash landing. He wakes up in the hospital a hero learning that he saved 96 of 102 souls on board.

On a journey of self-discovery Whip Whitaker must face his past, his ex-wife and son, and his demons of alcohol and drugs before facing a NTSB hearing. By the end of the movie the viewer is thoroughly disgusted with Whip’s antics and, just when you are about to give up on him, the hearing takes a dramatic twist.

John Goodman is a hoot as Whip’s drug dealer, Harling Mays.  Harling still lives in the drug culture of the 70’s and Goodman steals every scene he is in.

Don Cheadle, as Whip’s attorney provided by the airline, is the true pilot of this craft and keeps the film moving toward its dramatic conclusion. He is a calm steady presence in the midst of Whip’s chaotic life.

Flight is a thought-provoking and entertaining film and I highly recommend it. Just don’t watch it before or during a plane trip.

I give Flight a B.