Movie Review: Flight

Flight is a great movie that received excellent reviews. In this action-packed mystery thriller released in 2012, Denzel Washington gave a captivating performance as an alcoholic and drug addict pilot. What was this movie actually about? There were rumors floating around that the movie is based on a true story that was from the big book of Alcoholics Anonymous.

As stated on rotten tomatoes movie review for Flight: “Academy Award winner, Denzel Washington stars as Whip Whitaker, a seasoned airline pilot, who miraculously crash lands his plane after a mid-air catastrophe, saving nearly every soul on board. After the crash, Whip is hailed as a hero, but as more is learned, more questions than answers arise as to who or what was really at fault and what really happened on that plane?” In my opinion, I definitely believe this book to be based on the story from the AA big book. There are way too many similarities for it not to be!

It is also stated by writer Christine Spines on the word & film website about the movie Flight that “By no means is anyone suggesting that “Flight” screenwriter didn’t give credit where it was due or that his screenplay should compete for the “Best Adapted” Oscar instead of taking its place among the originals. But there are some fascinating parallels to be drawn between the AA narrator – a Native American who had prevailed over significant cultural and economic obstacles to succeed among the predominantly white top gun professional pilots – and the ace commercial pilot Denzel Washington plays in “Flight,” who is forced to confront his alcoholism after coming under investigation after a near-catastrophic accident raises suspicions that he may have been flying drunk.”

That statement right there just confirms for me that the movie Flight is based on the big book story and they’re wanting to make it clear that the director is not trying to take credit for the story. I’ve also read many articles about people who are unhappy and outraged about the fact that this movie is somewhat promoting AA which breaks our 11^th tradition of Alcoholics Anonymous which is about maintaining anonymity when it comes to press, radio and films. Technically, this movie does break the traditions, but does it count if the people who made and starred in the movie aren’t in AA? I don’t think it does break any of our traditions because I believe our traditions only apply to people who are members  of Alcoholics Anonymous.

All of this is beside the point, this movie was phenomenal and a film that I would recommend anyone to see. Especially if you are in recovery, the movie Flight is a great film to see. It goes through what us addict and alcoholics typically go through; a completely insane lifestyle that gets turned upside down at some point until we have to confront our problem with alcohol and/or drugs. I know for me, things had to get pretty bad before they could get better. Hopefully, no one out there has to have it get as bad as it did in Flight before they realize they need help! If you or a loved one are struggling with substance abuse or addiction, please call toll free 1-800-951-6135.

Sources:

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/flight_2012/

http://www.wordandfilm.com/2012/11/was-denzel-washingtons-pilot-in-flight-inspired-by-alcoholics-anonymous/