Robert Zemeckis' brand new drama

I look at Robert Zemeckis' new drama, his first live-action film since 2000, and his first R-rated film since 1980.

Flight:

Airline pilot Whip Whitaker flies an airline plane after a sleepless night full of sex, booze, and drugs with his young flight attendant, and only an hour or two after using cocaine. When the plane begins to fall apart, he must save the plane through crazy circumstances, and saves everyone on board, minus two flight attendants (including his lover) and four passengers. But, the NTSB drug tests show he was drunk and high while flying, and he could be responsible for the loss of life. But, through several other tests, they discover he was the only pilot who could save the plane. He comes under federal investigation, and he begins a relationship with Nicole, and ex-drug addict and alcoholic, and these conflicting emotions and struggles send his life spiraling downward. Denzel Washington gives a mesmerizing and fascinating performance as Whitaker. He steals the show, and the film becomes more of a story about the life of a struggling, irresponsible alcoholic. He has emotion in every scene he's in, and you can tell he really put his heart and soul into the performance. You'll see several familiar faces, such as John Goodman in a hilarious and offbeat role as Harling Mays, Whip's idiotic and crazy hippy friend who deals drugs. Others include Kelly Reilly as Nicole, who gives an empathetic performance as a woman struggling with life; Don Cheadler as Whip's lawyer Hugh Lang; Bruce Greenwood as his friend Charlie Anderson; Brian Garaghty as Whip's young  and very religous co-pilot, Melissa Leio as the NTSB investigator; My Name is Earl's Nadine Velazquez as Katerina, Whip's young flight attendant with whom he has a relationship with; and Law and Order:SVU's Tamara Tunie as his friend and flight attendant Margaret. The film has a great soundtrack featuring classic rock from the 60's, most notably The Rolling Stone's "Gimme Shelter" and "Sympathy for the Devil". Robert Zemeckis' realistic approach and gritty direction give the film a fresh and distinct feel and look from his more recent films. (The Polar Express, Beowulf, A Christmas Carol) You really need to treat yourself to this film. It's not the usual holiday, feel-good film or action blockbuster, but a sometime humorous, but all-around gritty and dark drama about an alcoholic near the end of his run. Flight is a truly exhilirating, invetive, and beautiful drama with an all-star stellar cast and a great, visionary director to make it all fit together. 5/5 stars.

 (Image: Wikipedia)