What it’s about
Whip Whitaker (Washington) is a veteran airline pilot who’s long been accustomed to a partying lifestyle. After taking off in a frightening rainstorm on a domestic flight, something goes terribly wrong with his plane, and he is forced to make a daring landing that saves the lives of most of his crew and passengers. But the investigation into the crash unearths some embarrassing truths about Whip’s substance use. Suddenly, Whip the hero starts to look like Whip the criminal.
Why we love it
Zemeckiss first live-action film since 2000s Cast Away shows he hasnt lost his touch in staging intense action scenes or delving into the human condition under fire. The opening moments showing Whip at the helm of an aircraft while high are terrifying, as is the crash itself. Washingtons performance as the arrogant Whip pushes this drama to unexpected heights, as he infuses his character with a complexity born of his struggle with addiction. Goodman leavens the gloom as a drug-toting Dr. Feelgood, but its Washingtons Oscar nominated turn that will enter your mind each time youre cleared for takeoff.
Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle, Bruce Greenwood, Kelly Reilly, John Goodman, Melissa Leo Robert Zemeckis