Flight (2012)

Inspired by 'The Miracle on the Hudson' in a very lose, Law & Order 'ripped from the headlines' type way, Flight is actually a pretty strong entry in the 'battle with substance abuse' subgenera of film, I'd say right up there with The Lost Weekend and Days of Wine and Roses. The plot concerns a commercial airline pilot who miraculously saves the lives of 96 of the 102 passengers and crew aboard his plan in a 'miracle landing' after a major mechanical issue with the aircraft. Denzel Washington plays the pilot William "Whip" Whitaker, he's a hero after what he accomplished, but he stays isolated, knowing what the post crash tox screening will prove, and wrestling with his demons. It's a strong performance by Washington. The supporting cast is uniformly good, including Bruce Greenwood, Don Cheadle, and John Goodman. I also liked Kelly Reilly in this, she is a kind of English Jessica Chastain, here playing a recovering heroin user that Whitaker gets involved with. One thing that took me by surprise, and that I didn't even think to check for, is there is a fair amount of nudity in this, though all concentrated within the first 15 minutes or so of the film. I don't think I have ever seen nudity in a Robert Zemeckis film before, so be advised. ***1/2