Review of Flight (2012) by Josh-K25 — 07 Feb 2013

I watched this movie because of Denzel Washington, and if only in his case, the reviews are true.

Washington does a stellar job throughout the movie, and as is the case with most if not all movies he stars in, he practically makes the movie. The acting itself is actually quite good across the board, as is the writing, even if it does feel a bit stretched at times. I do hold one substantial complaint, however, that being the exception to both of the commendations above. In one scene, when Denzel Washington's character Whip goes to see his co pilot in the hospital, the writing and acting take an expected, yet nevertheless disappointing turn. Here, the already foreshadowed "crazy Christians" scene plays out, and the director attempts no subtlety. As both husband and wife stare with fury at Whip, they switch suddenly, like they just escaped an asylum, from anger to the resolute conviction of madmen as they state (paraphrasing) "the plane was pre-ordained to crash" and that they "prayed for it". All this is said by a slightly lowered camera with a light focused on a gaudy crucifix hanging above his bed. All as his wife, with a catatonic face chants "praise Jesus!" in a tone akin to a cultist. Now, I understand that there are many people who view life many other ways, and yes, I do believe we should tolerate all religions. However, I fail to see how making Christians look crazy is tolerant. Few if any prolific Hollywood directors would risk putting a scene featuring crazy Buddhists or crazy Zoroastrians, crazy.. pretty much any other religion in their movie, for fear of rightful outrage, and quite frankly, such a biased, one sided point of view not only shows either hatred or ignorance, but also runs a high risk of taking the viewer out of the movie, and placing them back in their seat scratching their head.