Sometimes you walk into a movie theater expecting a certain kind of movie and walk out having seen something completely different.  It can be disconcerting, and even create a negative reaction just because it something unexpected.  This is the reaction I have to Flight.  I admit that I expected the story of a troubled pilot (the excellent Denzel Washington) whose adroit handling of an inflight emergency saves lots of lives and leads to his redemption.  Typical Hollywood stuff.  But no, Flight begins with the ill-fated flight and then becomes a deep character study of how the alcoholic pilot refuses to face his demons afterward.

In telling its story in reverse order (in terms of traditional, formulaic Hollywood story structure), Robert Zemeckis’ film never lets viewers get comfortable, and that feeling is reinforced by Washington’s unapologetic portrayal.  Washington dominates the film, often seen in huge closeups that reveal every tic of his facial muscles and every bloodshot vein in his eyes.  Like Zemeckis’ earlier Cast Away (which also features a dramatic inflight emergency) his focus is on how one man survives an increasingly hostile environment (Washington only seems at home in the skies, and after the crash he seems to know that he will never fly again).

Not that there aren’t other characters.  A hot heroin junkie (gorgeous Kelly Reilly) unexpectedly crosses paths with Washington, and an airline friend (Bruce Greenwood) does what he can to shield Washington from media attention.  A slick lawyer (Don Cheadle) is tasked to keep Washington out of jail, and John Goodman portrays a rather flamboyant drug dealer and friend to the troubled pilot.  But the focus is always on Washington’s character and the struggles he faces to stop drinking and get his life together.  As I said before, this is not exactly what I was expecting.

I appreciate what Zemeckis does in terms of detailing Washington’s (and Kelly Reilly’s) addictions; ultimately, that is what the movie is really about.  Characters having to overcome the fleshly desires that endanger others and will ultimately kill them unless they can be overcome.  It isn’t about one hellishly dramatic airliner crash or relationships gone wrong over time; it’s about living from one moment to the next with temptation always sitting nearby.  This is a worthwhile theme and it is powerfully performed by all concerned.  I just expected, and wanted, to see more of the jet flying upside down.  ☆ ☆ 1/2.  6 November 2012.