Today’s Prayer Focus
Oscars® won: None
Nominated for
Best Writing (Original Screenplay) and Best Actor in a leading role
MOVIE REVIEW

Flight

MPA Rating: R-Rating (MPA) for drug and alcohol abuse, language, sexuality/nudity and an intense action sequence.

Reviewed by: Daniel Thompson
CONTRIBUTOR

Moral Rating: Extremely Offensive
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience: Adults
Genre: Action Drama
Length: 2 hr. 20 min.
Year of Release: 2012
USA Release: November 2, 2012 (wide—1,800+ theaters)
DVD: February 5, 2013
Copyright, Paramount Picturesclick photos to ENLARGE Copyright, Paramount Pictures Copyright, Paramount Pictures Copyright, Paramount Pictures Copyright, Paramount Pictures Copyright, Paramount Pictures Copyright, Paramount Pictures Copyright, Paramount Pictures Copyright, Paramount Pictures Copyright, Paramount Pictures
Relevant Issues
Copyright, Paramount Pictures

drug and alcohol abuse

addiction

pride versus humility

sin and the Bible

fall of man

forgiveness of sin

FORGIVEN?—How can I be and feel forgiven? Answer

GUILT—If God forgives me every time I ask, why do I still feel so guilty? Answer

Are you good enough to get to Heaven? Answer

How good is good enough? Answer

redemption

Paradise or Pain? Why is the world the way it is?
Why is the world the way it is? If God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and loving, would He really create a world like this? (filled with oppression, suffering, death and cruelty) Answer
Click here to watch THE HOPE on-line!
Discover God’s promise for all people—told beautifully and clearly from the beginning. Discover The HOPE! Watch it on Christian Answers—full-length motion picture.
Is Jesus Christ the answer to your questions?
Discover the good news that Jesus Christ offers
God%u2019s Story Online home
Do you understand God’s Story? Take a multimedia journey through the Bible, from Creation to eternity. Hear and read an exciting summary of the Bible’s most important records, in chronological order.
Are you going to Heaven?
Are you going to Heaven? Are you SURE you know the answer this extremely important question? Or have you made some common wrong assumptions? Find out now!
Featuring Denzel WashingtonWhip Whitaker
John GoodmanHarling Mays
Kelly ReillyNicole Maggen
Don CheadleHugh Lang
Nadine Velazquez … Katerina Marquez
Bruce GreenwoodCharlie Anderson
Melissa LeoEllen Block
See all »
Director Robert Zemeckis—“Cast Away,” “Forest Gump,” “Back to the Future”
Producer ImageMovers
Paramount Pictures
See all »
Distributor Distributor: Paramount Pictures Corporation. Trademark logo.Paramount Pictures Corporation, a subsidiary of ViacomCBS

The first 3 minutes of “Flight”, starring Denzel Washington, will be enough for most Christian viewers to head for the exits. The first scene of the film contains gratuitous nudity, as well as abusive drug use and strong profanity. It’s a scene that is filled with utter depravity—an unflinching look at a man who has hit rock bottom. Viewers who leave will be justified in doing so, but viewers who stay will also be justified, because the film’s title not only references the titular act of our protagonist, but also his harrowing redemption from the lowest of lows to the highest of highs. “Flight” starts off at the bottom of the barrel, and takes us higher than the clouds.

Captain “Whip” Whitaker wakes up drunk in his Florida hotel room with a woman in his bed. He has a flight departing in 90 minutes. With the help of some cocaine as an “upper,” he makes it to the airport in time and, though the weather is rough, he successfully leaves Orlando to head home to Atlanta. The flight takes a turn for the worse as the engines fail, and Whitaker is forced to pull off a stunning maneuver in order to crash-land the plane and save the lives of those on board. Left in Whitaker’s wake is a great story, but also plenty of questions that require answers. Is Whip a hero or a villain? Can he come to terms with his condition as an addict? How will he live with the consequences of his actions, and what are the most important things in his life?

Director Robert Zemeckis has made some classic films in his day, the likes of which appeal to a wide audience. Films like “Back to the Future”, “Forrest Gump”, and “Cast Away” are all credited to the brain of Zemeckis. Up until this point, he had not made a live action film in over a decade. His return to this forum is nothing short of brilliant, as Zemeckis mines the depths of the human experience to create a film that is realistic while simultaneously fantastical. It doesn’t hurt that the director has Denzel Washington as his lead actor. Washington gives the performance of the year, as a damaged, broken, prideful individual who has to admit his problems in order to make things right.

The film’s qualities, both technically and morally, are excellent. They do, however, come with a steep price. That price is extreme profanity, an extended scene of gratuitous nudity, and continuous drug use scenes that are difficult to watch. In showing redemption, Zemeckis has chosen to show us the glaring face of sin, and while that face is not glorified, the viewer is required to stare at it squarely in order to continue the journey. “Flight” is a film for adults only, and even then it requires a great deal of discernment (as well as the ability to avert one’s eyes).

Ultimately, “Flight” is the story of every human being from fall to redemption. Every one of us is born into sin, a condition we cannot cure on our own. Our sin leads us to pride and arrogance. We are broken. Until we can admit we have a problem and that we are powerless, we may do some incredible things, but we will never be made whole. This film is a powerful movie about becoming whole.

As Christians, we are called to reach out to others in this condition and help them find value and meaning in their lives. In “Flight” you will see a pile of filth, depravity and despair stacked as high as it is wide. Beneath this pile, however, you will also find a powerful and redemptive diamond of truth.

Violence: Heavy / Profanity: Extreme / Sex/Nudity: Extreme

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.


Viewer CommentsSend your comments
Positive
Positive—I am an alcoholic, sober thirteen years, and I found this movie to be very full of the truth. The alcoholic-drug user very competent in some areas of life and a complete zero in the most important areas. The powerlessness, the self-dilution the ability to lie and cheat and use others when the only hope for the GOD shaped hole in our soul is JESUS. The surrender in court was interesting, and the ending question and answer was weak… “who are you?” I am an alcoholic and a sinner saved by GOD’s grace and the work of JESUS on the cross would of been my answer. GOD bless you and yours…
My Ratings: Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 5
Howie M, age 54 (Canada)
Positive—I was very turned off from the movie initially. Gratuitous nudity it was indeed, and all that drug use and profanity. However, I went to see Denzel Washington’s performance, and he ultimately did not disappoint me. It was a beautifully rendered portrayal of a man grappling with his conscience, and so I ended up being pleased that I had seen this work by one of our very best actors. Lots of good supporting acting also, with the talented Melissa Leo playing the lead investigator. This is an unusual movie, actually, because it tackles the very core of a man’s soul. That it has a lot of offensive subject matter is to be noted for those who might not want to watch seamy and sleazy behavior.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4½
Halyna Barannik, age 66 (USA)
Positive—I am not sure what to make of many of the comments on this site. It appears a line of thought exists that certain images should never be viewed by Christians, no matter what their context. This, for lack of a better description, just sounds crazy to me and this movie is a perfect example. The pilot in this movie is in extreme denial about his addiction—that is the point of the movie. Zemeckis (the director) needs to demonstrate that, and needs to do so in a way that will create the maximum dramatic and thematic effect. What better way to do that then to depict the pilot in a scene right at the beginning that puts him in the center of his depraved state. Zemeckis does not condone this behavior, nor are the scenes designed to be titillating or gratuitous. And, the fact is, within the context of the movie the scenes work and they work extremely effectively for the purpose I just described.

That being said, there is—apparently on this site—a separate question. That question is should Christian’s watch these sorts of scenes? My first response is confusion. Are we not adults? As far as I know there is no assertion that this movie is for children. A further question based on my confusion: Perhaps there is some feeling that Christians should just stick their collective heads in the sand when it comes to an artist’s attempt to make a point. If this second question is the case I despair for both any Evangelical Christian artist becoming a great visual artist, and for the Evangelical community ever developing an adult appreciation of the visual arts. Art has value in and of itself. It has that because it comments on man’s existence within the society he/she is in. If you limit the pallet the artist has to work with, and you do so in a way that restricts him or her to “religiously correct” images you destroy the very nature of what makes art great.
My Ratings: Moral rating: none / Moviemaking quality: 4½
Bob, age 52 (USA)
Positive—First, I must start off by saying that I am a born again believer. I was very hesitant to watch the movie “Flight” after seeing the negative comments. But I chose to give this movie a chance, and I’m glad that I did. I’m not saying in anyway that I agree with everything that took place, but, then again, these are issues that we face daily. I have to wonder, do some of these Christian viewers live on a separate island from the rest of the world. I am personally dealing with my mom who is an alcoholic. And I cannot begin to tell you how it has destroyed her life and everyone in my family. These situations are real, maybe none of you have gone witnessing in not so suburban areas, but this is life for some people. We, as Christians, have to try not to be so judgmental, when we hear this foreign language or see creative scenes. I see this everyday, but I still have to pray for my brothers and sisters and those that don’t know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I agree with Bob, this movie is epic and one to be reckoned with. I wish I had a way to get my mom help. I’m glad he finally admitted the truth.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4½
Tracy, age 38 (USA)
Positive—I believe that many of those commenting have missed out on the many biblical allusions and religious imagery throughout the film. Prior to take off, the head stewardess refers to the number of passengers as “140 souls on board;” throughout the film, the word “souls” is used when referring to who made it and who did not “4 souls were lost.” Never passengers. When John Goodman’s character of the drug dealer is introduced, he walks into the strains of the Rolling Stones “Sympathy for the Devil,” specifically the lyrics “…pleased to meet you. Hope you guess my name.” By the end of the movie you have no doubt who he is.

As the plane crashed, it heads towards a steeple, the cross basically fills the windscreen of the plane. Denzel’s character “Whip” and his co-pilot, an Evangelical Christian, are in the same hospital. Above the co-pilot’s bed hangs a crucifix. The wall above Whip’s bed is empty. There are many, many more instances where the filmmaker is showing us that Whip has intentionally cut himself off from the loving God all around him.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4
Gretchen, age 48 (USA)
Positive—First of all, I have a problem with those who choose not to do their homework before seeing movies. Rated “R” for nudity, drug use and language should cover it, and I did not allow my kids to watch this.

I saw it and saw many good qualities. Many undertones of Christianity were offered, and despite those who saw Christians being ridiculed, I saw something entirely different. Denzel had a spiritual journey, as well as a wake up call. His final words before opening up were: “God, help me.” He didn’t become born-again, but he took a step in that direction. See all »
My Ratings: Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4½
John, age 52 (USA)
Positive—First off, I mean this in all seriousness and not to offend. I am appalled at how many Christians live in a bubble. The type of subject matter in this movie exists and is reality. You may deny it, but it is there. The opening scene, while gratuitous, was a message by the director to convey what kind of life the character is living. I saw a comment that that opening scene was porn… really? Not even close. It was just full frontal nudity to prove a point. Why is there something immoral about seeing a woman naked?

As for the drug use, it is hard to watch a character using this type of stuff and worse, when the woman was shooting heroin, however, again, this is reality! Harsh and sometimes scary, but reality.

I watch a lot of foul-mouthed, graphic movies, and unless they are just bad moviemaking, I look past that to see the message a director or writer is trying to convey. In “Flight,” it was obvious there was a big message, and, as true Christians, you should be mature enough to look past what you call “filth” and see the redemption aspect of the movie. Movies can be hard to watch, but life can be worse.
My Ratings: Moral rating: none / Moviemaking quality: 4
Anthony, age 39 (USA)
Positive—This is a hard hitting and sobering film about how drink and drugs affect everybody around you, not only that, it shows in detail about how Corperate’s like Airlines, can manipulate the evidence against them or the pilot. I won’t go into a lot of details as written a lot of reviews already on this film, suffice to say, I’m astounded, as a responsible adult, that this was given a 15 Cert rating, why on earth do we have ratings at all, when the powers to be, haven’t got the guts to make this an 18 R movie. I have no problem with nudity, But, actually I was quite shocked for a 15 rated movie, to see the girl in the first scenes, actually show almost her pubics, and not for a few seconds. I’ve seen less nudity on rated 18 films!!

We have to remember, we are not perfect, so many temptations, in today’s world, even I enjoy a normal pipe tobacco sometimes, but alcohol and drugs is the bain of most civilisations. ***SPOILER*** I have given a positive remark to this outstanding film, because, our false hero, seeing the lovely stewardess on the official Transport enquires TV screen (now perished in the crash landing), knows he has to act, not only save himself, but to prevent that girl with being branded as the one who drank the Vodka. See all »
My Ratings: Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4½
Michael H, age 63 (United Kingdom)
Neutral
Neutral—Drug and alcohol abuse, language, sexuality, nudity, and an intense action sequence. That is the disclaimer directly under the “R” rating. If you were shocked by the movie’s graphic nature, that’s your fault for not easily looking at the rating. The previews may have made the movie appear to be more wholesome, but a quick glance at the MPA warnings should tell you what to expect. If you are a Christian who worries about the content you see, then do some simple research before viewing objectionable content.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4
Haley, age 20 (USA)
Neutral—My husband and I saw this movie… As others have commented, the full frontal nudity was shocking actually. The scene wasn’t just a few seconds, but lingering at the very beginning of the movie, as well as the “F” word on and on. We typically would just get up and leave and demand a refund, but I’m actually glad that we opted to stay to see the end. There are a lot of good messages in the movie.

The portrayal of the religious people in the movie was silly and goofy at times, but I’m just glad that someone could see that God has something greater to offer those with addictions. This movie is “not” for everyone especially children or teenagers. People that have addictions will have a hard time watching this movie because it could possibly send “triggers” that make them want to relapse, because of the lingering images of drug use. We’ve worked with many addicts (i.e., crack cocaine, alcoholics, etc.) for over 18 years. When you spend time with them and get to know some of the sources of their pain, you will be exposed to graphic images first hand of how they’ve struggled, lived on the streets, in shelters, etc. Their kids have suffered from being in foster care and heavily medicated by CPS because they don’t know what else to do or have any real details of how they’ve been raised. See all »
My Ratings: Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 4½
Christian Sister, age Over 45 (USA)
Neutral——…this movie was not what I thought this movie would be about. What it was about was a guy who has a severe alcohol addiction and needed help. This guy needed Jesus. But this film, of course, would not point to this but to AAA. This film has a story line to hold your attention, but the nudity, the cussing, taking Lord’s name in vain, making fun of the Christians in the movie, it was a worldly view of a problem that has many many people in captive addiction today, again DRUGS AND ALCOHOL.

I do at this point have to recommend another movie that comes out in APRIL, and, yes, I’ve seen a micro screening of it. HOME RUN: THE MOVIE takes the ALCOHOL and DRUG problem and points to JESUS. Go see that one instead.

My Ratings: Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4
Rockinron Corino, age 49 (USA)
Neutral—I’m not sure how to rate this. I will simply state that the people thinking of watching this should read the Word of God. Look up evil in the Bible. See how many times God talks about staying away from, fleeing, keeping your eyes from… evil. If God tells us to have nothing to do with it, then, in all honesty, how can you defend it?? The positive comments on here make me want to reevaluate what type I watch. It amazes me how many Christians will defend evil. What will you say to God? Where are the people walking worthy of their calling? Where is the righteousness in filth? Darkness has NO place in the Light. I encourage you all the be led by the Spirit as to what is appropriate to watch and do not use your freedom in Christ to think that anything goes.

To close, I will tell you all that I watched most of this movie, and I was ashamed afterward. Hopefully, my experience will cause someone else to walk worthy, flee evil and make a better choice than I did. God bless you all.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3½
Roxanne, age 32 (USA)
Neutral—This could have been a fantastic movie. But the first 15 minutes of the movie is full frontal nudity by a woman. I went in to this movie thinking it was going to mainly be about the struggles of a pilot, who was drinking the day his plane crashed. This was more like the movie “Blow”. It had great elements to the movie, where the character did struggle through his addictions. But there was so much stuff that made this movie garbage that didn’t have to be there. Example: the character played by John Goodman was known as the “cool old school drug dealer” was over played and over rated.

Another example was the use of the word “God d***” over and over. I would not suggest this movie to anyone under 18. And if you are a Christian man who struggles with lust, this movie is also going to be a challenge.

Other than the nudity and God’s name being thrown around, it’s actually a pretty good movie. It does carry a positive ending. I just wish they could make great movies without the use of “GD” and without making it out to be soft core porn.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4
Danny, age 29 (USA)
Neutral—I first want to start out by saying that I found the movie without much of a plot, so that was a little annoying, however it had an excellent cast that portrays how real people live, and this was a good thing for people to see. I was a bit shocked, in the beginning, that there was full frontal nudity. I usually avoid movies that show that much nudity, but I decided to watch the whole thing and give it a chance. It was a really hard watch with people taking drugs and drinking excessively; the profanity was also very trashy.

…The most touching scene also is the last part where he has a chance to tell them that he was not the one drinking and that was the flight attendant, who did it who was in the beginning in bed with him (his girlfriend). Sadly she died in the plane crash, so he could of said oh yes it was her. He decided to not lie anymore, and he ended up going to prison, but because he did this he was finally free and could become an honest man. I really like this part of the movie because it shows that lying will never get you anywhere but the day you stop lying is the day you can become a honest person who tells the truth.See all »
My Ratings: Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4
Jaimie, age 27 (USA)
Negative
Negative—As a current Airline Captain, I must say from a technical point, it was full of so many flaws and unrealistic scenes, that I’m amazed that it got the reviews it did. No flight crew just show’s up in the cockpit of an airliner just before push-back. It’s required by most airlines to check in 1 hour prior to departure and that is where you meet the other pilot, look at the flight plan, weather and a host of other things. Then there was the increasing of airspeed when in moderate to severe turbulence. Really? No, you reduce the speed set by the manufacture of the aircraft—NOT increase it!

I could go on and on but you get the gest of it… more Hollywood junk. From what little bit I watch TV, it was worse than a made for TV movie on the OXYGEN OR LIFE channel—silly and poorly done. From a Christian standpoint, it was worldly and void of any real value, unless you were a recovering drug and alcoholic, and that wasn’t until the very end when the Captain decided to tell the truth. I guess better late than never?
My Ratings: Moral rating: Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3
Capt. T., age 54 (USA)
—I saw this movie tonight on DVD and wish I hadn’t. I agree that it should have been rated X for the porn in the beginning. Really sickening. Any actress who would flaunt her private parts around like that has to know that she is an exhibitionist, not an actress—please. Denzel is supposed to be a Christian. I wonder what his wife thinks about his walk with the Lord now? He should publicly repent for being such a bad example. Putting your eyes on a woman’s nudity, other than your wife’s, is not acting either; it is a sin. I’m disgusted.
My Ratings: Moral rating: / Moviemaking quality:
Sally Aversa, age 62 (USA)
Negative—Saw the movie “Flight” last night and am still angry about the fact that the premise in the previews was NOT the premise of the movie. “Flight” is about the spiraling decline of an alcoholic drug addict and all the fun (sarcastic) events that entails (excessive drinking, drug use (veins/noses), constant F*bomb type language AND lingering full frontal female nudity). Oh, and BTW, he’s also a good pilot who happens to save a broken plane load of souls with an amazing landing. Augh. The R-rating just doesn’t quite seem to fit. And it’s clear the director of this film thinks very little of Christians. Those characters who do believe and try to find meaning in the crash are portrayed as loonies for the most part. Yes, it’s a great cast and the acting is very good, but do some research before you waste your time/money on this movie.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4½
Sharon, age 47 (USA)
Negative—Just Awful. Starts off with lots of female nudity, which was unnecessary for the film’s point… That point is arguably that poor, prideful adulterating cocaine snorting drunkards are people too… After I woke my wife up, I answered her question of “How did it end?” like this: The drunkard sobered up in prison. It is obvious that the writers and directors do not think highly of Christians. We were made out to look like greasy haired, brainless fanatics who begin every sentence with, “Praise Jesus.” Praise Jesus, stay away!
My Ratings: Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4
Tim Coleman, age 55 (USA)
Negative—I usually try to be fair to all aspects of a film when I do a review, but for this one I don’t feel the need to go into a lot of detail. The first scene of the movie is a drawn out nude scene that made me want to write this review and give those concerned a heads up. The other negative reviews I read are true, this movie is definitely not what I expected from the trailer.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Very Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4
Des, age 38 (USA)
Negative—The movie was a disgrace to humanity, vulgar display of full frontal female nudity… such a nasty attempt to degrade women (should have been X rated… any woman that would stoop to that has no self respect and has bought into the liberal anything goes mindset), the f-word throughout the movie, drugs, casual sex with another partner as soon as the first one dies, alcohol abuse, porno scene with more vulgar young women… As a wife and mother and a lady, I am sick of this… our country has sunk to such evil… This movie should have been rated X and shame on Denzel Washington… shame, shame, shame on him!!!…
My Ratings: Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: ½
Sherry, age 45 (USA)
Negative—Wow, I had to leave the movie, it was so morally offensive. That’s a rarity. I always read this Web site before watching a movie, but forgot to, and I lost out because of it. I tried to withstand the offensive, extreme nude opening scene and stay and watch the movie. But the filth, drug abuse, language, derogatory remarks, just wouldn’t stop, so I finally left. The trailers all portrayed this movie as an excellent action drama, but the director had to add too much filth to it that didn’t add to the story line at all. Too bad, a story line that many of us would be thrilled to watch, mixed with trash equals an extremely offensive movie for Christians.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 5
Steve, age 45 (USA)
Negative—I wish I had checked this Web site before watching the movie—it is indeed extremely offensive. There was a lot of profanity, though I realize that is almost to be expected given its rating. What I found to be just over the top offensive was the, seemingly never ending, first several minutes. Completely unnecessary. It had absolutely no reason to be in the film and, I can’’t stress this enough, was not just a quick glimpse but was continuous full frontal nudity. Additionally, several characters in the film were Christians who were trying to reach out to the main character. I don’’t think it is coincidence that every Christian in the film was a complete oddball. Take a pass on this movie.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4
Jon, age 30 (USA)
Negative—The opening scene is extremely offensive/degrading to female viewers. The movie should have been rated X (not 14A) for unnecessary nudity and degrading comments. I went to see the movie because I like(d) Denzel Washington as an actor, but now I have lost interest in watching future films with my “once favorite” actor. I can/will/do not recommend this movie to any of my friends or family members.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 3
Carolina, age 35 (Canada)
Negative—I rarely rent an R rated movie, but I had seen the previews, and, since it was Denzel Washington, I thought it would be safe. Wow, was I wrong! From the first moments up to the last few minutes of the movie, I felt as if I needed to wash my ears and eyes out with soap. I know that the ultimate message of hitting rock bottom was finally revealed, but it is very difficult for me to grasp how a professing Christian actor can justify repeatedly using God’s name in such a demeaning way so many times, not to mention all of the other perverse language and actions. I am aware that he is an actor and that he was “acting” the part, but it was so over the top with the constant use of GD and the F-word that I have a difficult time understanding how he could in good conscience accept the part.

That being said, the flight scenes were extremely well done, the scene in the hospital stairwell was offensive and slow. I felt it could have been left out completely, in fact the entire part of the story line involving the druggie girlfriend was slow and out of place with the flow of the movie. I was glad that in the end there was some sort of “reached the end of my rope” realization, but the wait and language was far too long. I cannot recommend this movie to any believer, it was offensive to every Christian view, and I will never feel “safe” about Denzel Washington movies again.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 5
Brenda, age 52 (USA)
Negative—The storyline of the movie is outstanding, no doubt. It covers our humanity and the sins we commit and its consequences. That being said, as a retired soldier and Christian, I have been around a lot of nudity and profanity in my career. So when I see how the director has placed it in this movie, it seemed completely unneeded. This movie would have been just as good without the complete frontal nudity. A simple discreet shot of her climbing out of bed with the sheets wrapped around her would have been just as good, and even in better taste. The amount of profanity goes beyond a platoon of soldiers at the bar. It was over used in the movie. We watched about half the movie before we finally turned it off. By the way, the ending is predictable
My Ratings: Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: 4
Ken, age 50 (Canada)
Comments from non-viewers
NegativeI seldom walk out of a movie, but this one pushed all the limits. Full frontal nudity was the first shocker, but it got worse. I left when they had the scene of John Goodman visiting the “hero” or main character in the hospital. It was over the top for being completely crass and very vulgar in almost every way that a person could imagine. I understand that it was showing damaged people, but good actors and well written scripts can get that message across without getting into the gutter. I hope Denzel Washington will find better work next time and take a long shower with antibacterial soap after this one. I can’t imagine that this movie was any indication of his true self.

I was exceptionally disappointed and was only surprised that we didn’t have to drop quarters in a slot to keep watching. This is “adult” entertainment of the lowest form. It just doesn’t honor my Lord, at all. I should have checked this site before I went. The effects were very good, but the affect was dismal. It may have gotten better, but to stay would have been akin to diving for a quarter in a porta-potty. I would say more, but I have to go shower.
Brian, age 60 (USA)
Negative—I cannot recommend this movie. It is Offensive. I turned it off after the first few shocking minutes of full frontal nudity, adultery, foul language. Not worth my time, my attention. Disgusting. I only watched about 5 minutes and had to turn it off. Frontal nudity and the “f” word. I might have had a good story line, but I couldn’t get past the first 5 minutes of profanity and profaneness.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: ½
Tina, age 28 (USA)
Negative—My husband and I went to see this. The commercials for it made it look very good. We walked out of the movie within the first two minutes. Total nudity and splattered with the f-word. This was not even worth sitting through to see if it got any better. Just could not think of sitting there watching that filth and then going to church the next day and worshiping my Awesome God!
Angie, age 48 (USA)
Negative—I have to say, even before I read the reviews I knew the film would be good, but trashy and not worth seeing. The main actor (Denzel) has been in more and more films over the years where he usually swears like crazy and there’s always some bad element of drugs, nudity, violence… etc. So I naturally know to avoid his movies. What’s very sad is Denzel claims says he doesn’t play roles that conflict with his christian views.
Matt, age 31 (USA)
Negative—WARNING if you find PORNO offensive DON’t go see FLIGHT with Denzel Washington, who I have always thought of as a man of integrity and fine actor, till today. A friend and I went to see FLIGHT, which from the previews looked very exciting; WRONG here’s my review: First, let me say I did not see it entirely, as my friend and I walked out after the 1st 10 minutes. We were very angry, to think that a movie with no warning would open with porno and totally get worse from there. The rating should have been X not R, and I am so sad that Denzel Washington has stooped to this level when he says he is a Christian and has always been such a fine actor. What a shame that so many people think this is okay to watch because it makes the point of how low a man can fall. There are lots of movies that have shown that without becoming porno.

There was no reason for this, regardless of the lame excuses some people want to give. The previews gave no hint of the porno content, nudity, perversion, etc. …frankly I think the airplane crash was the 2nd topic of this movie, the main topic was an inside look into porno and trash. I wonder if Mr. Washington will take his grandchildren to see this. I really felt bad for some of the couples who were obviously caught off guard too and didn’t know what to do. I hope this is a financial flop, and, in the future, I hope a REAL warning of content will be given with every movie. I am no prude, and I realize that movies go pretty far today, but this was way over the line.
Dottie, age 60+ (USA)
Negative—Having read the review, I felt saddened that so much great art is an offense to our holy God. Great stories, films, music and art help us to navigate life and connect with a particular expression of the human condition. But God and the Bible are so clear that we are to be separate from our culture and sanctified for His dramatic, beautiful, pure, fantastical purposes. God loves sex and the human body but begs us to avoid sexual sin for our own best interest. We have become deluded to think that watching and listening to things that the Bible clearly warns us about is not partaking of things harmful to us and offensive to our perfect Lord.
My Ratings: Moral rating: / Moviemaking quality:
Chris, age 48 (USA)
Negative—…watching previews I couldn’t wait to see this movie, but after the first 5 minutes I was disgusted! Nudity, nudity, nudity! After the first 10 minutes, I left, because I didn’t want to see any more… Drugs, okay fine, but the fully naked visible woman, no thanks!
Steph, age 18 (USA)
Negative—I just paid Xfinity to watch this movie and didn’t get to watch even 10 seconds of it! After walking out of a theater only 2 days ago over “Identity Theft”’s wickedness, I am pretty much reeling. Denzel? In a movie with full female nudity?! Oh, no. I am SO disappointed in him, because he and his wife, Pauletta, are supposed to be good Christians. So… this is a real slap in the face. He knew the script. He was there in the hotel room with a naked woman (actress)… how does he possibly justify his actions? A paycheck is not enough: that means that you can be bought; it’s just a matter of haggling over the price.

Like “Identity Theft”… just pure garbage. Here’s what I want from Hollywood from now on, and I think it should be the LAW: Put the worst of the movie in the trailers. Don’t put the “funny stuff” to lure us innocents in. Don’t hire good guys in bad films. Don’t put the “bait” in the trailers, put the poison and THEN let the viewing public decide. Ratings mean nothing! Just start rating everything out of Hollywood and NY as T for Trash, in my opinion. I’ve been boycotting the movies for 40 years now, almost my entire adult life. Like so many others, I got tired of walking out of movies so I just quit walking IN. Super bad movie. Horrible.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Extremely Offensive / Moviemaking quality: none
SK Bruning, age 61 (USA)
Positive—I have not seen this movie yet, but I will certainly see it within the next week. A movie with the combination of commercial aviation and legal battles is a recipe for a great plot to me. I have read that the first several minutes of the movie has full frontal nudity. I wonder why this is necessary. Could you not just show oblique angles and “suggest” the sex going on? By doing this one would simply have to use their imagination, and the movie would probably appeal to a larger audience. I understand that this scene is to illustrate the downward spiral of DW’s character. I get it. I would prefer not to have a stumbling like this for my family.
JJ, age 30 (USA)

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