Flight

*****
Dir. Robert Zemeckis
This has been a monumental year for movies. We've seen and are about to see works from Ridley Scott, Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan, Peter Jackson, Tim Burton, Wes Anderson, Tom Hooper, Robert Zemeckis, and many more legendary filmmakers. Flight is by far Zemeckis' most ambitious film, and one of his best. I can't think of a drama over the last decade which has managed to reach this level of character development, rather than rely on a wide range of conventional elements to drive the story.

Denzel Washington plays Whip Whitaker, an alcoholic pilot whose life takes a dramatic turn when his plane crashes. When he wakes up in a hospital a few hours later, he finds out that 96 of the 102 people on board survived, and he is for some time hailed as a hero. Having some time to reflect upon his distorted lifestyle, he decides to try and quit drinking, emptying every bottle of beer and vodka in his house. Yet while this presents an optimistic change for some time, his rehabilitation is short-lived when his Union Director (Bruce Greenwood) and lawyer (Don Cheadle) inform him that a toxicology report indicates that he was severely drunk when the flight took off. Knowing that he could face up to five or more years in prison if he is found guilty, Whitaker is plagued by the stress of the investigation, with alcohol being his only means of escape.

Beyond the superb acting displayed in this film, the script is what makes it worthy of at least one Oscar. There's a subplot involving a romance between Whitaker and an equally addicted woman named Nicole (Kelly Reilly); and the way the writing merges their stories together is remarkably compelling. Both characters strive to put their pasts behind them, inwardly searching for meaning and satisfaction. As Whitaker's relationship with his ex-wife and son, his career, and his view of himself are all broken by his addiction, this one woman plays a pivotal role in finding his true identity.

As if Washington has ever not demonstrated excellent acting, this is quite possibly his best performance. He embodies this character in a manner which is rarely seen in Hollywood. Rather than do his best to bring the script to life, he simply allows Whitaker to tell his story. Greenwood and Cheadle also provide excellent support in their roles. I really liked seeing Washington and Cheadle work together again, after having been in the 90s classic Devil in a Blue Dress. Then there's John Goodman as Whitaker's drug-dealing friend, with his personality providing virtually the only comedic relief in the film.

What makes Zemeckis one of the best filmmakers of all time is his strive to explore new areas of the medium. While known for his classics like Back to the Future and Forrest Gump, he's also produced some very intriguing animated films in recent years such as The Polar Express and Beowulf. This picture is yet another highlight of his career, because it invokes such a deep and provocative response among viewers. As Zemeckis directs with such an artistic vision, audiences are immersed in the lives of these characters. Furthermore, Alan Silvestri's music is as fantastic as his previous works.

A movie which examines subject matter like this in extensive detail is bold to say the least. Flight is an intense and riveting experience. With a tremendous cast, script, and director, this is hands down one of the year's best films.