This
is the second film in 2013 that I watched that deals with addiction as its core
subject; this time it is alcohol and drugs.
Is alcoholism or drug abuse an issue even if you are a hero? A successful and resourceful hero, at that?
Denzel
Washington probably comes up with one of his best performances in this movie
that has a lot going for it. As a person who has seen up close what addiction
can do to people, I could sympathize with him. He is an exemplary pilot/captain
of a commercial airline. One of the best ever… the movie tells us. And also
shows us.
The
opening flight and landing scene is riveting and is certain to bring you to the
edge of your seat. Thereafter, it is complete drama. About a person’s notion and
cure for his own addiction, how he is confident that he can lead his life well
even if he is drunk or high. How he can discharge his duties and responsibilities
at work (even a high profile and high risk job of a pilot) even if he has had
more alcohol and cocaine than an average teen…
Denzel
Washington plays arrogance and self-defiance very well. Like you really feel
like slapping him. But then, you understand that he knows he is addicted but in
control! That is the crux. He does not crumble, is not indecisive or slurrish,
has presence of mind, etc.
His
wife and son had left him long ago. He has no friends. He is alone.
In
the hospital after the crash, where he has saved 100 lives or killed six people
(whichever way you want to look at it), he makes his first real friend: a woman
who’s a drug abuser. They share similar pains. They share a painful past.
The
woman rehabilitates but he can’t. He is so much into it that it is like making love,
breathing or drinking water. How many days can you abstain from these?
Finally,
he gets redemption at a FAA hearing where he confesses (even though it has
already been proved that faulty maintenance of an elevator is to be blamed for
the flight crash) to have been drunk and high for three consecutive days and
nights leading up to the eventful flight.
For
the first time, he confesses to himself that his habit is a problem for himself
and for others around him even though he has never harmed anybody even when
drunk or high. For the first time, he admitted that he had a behavioral
problem. Accepting one’s own weaknesses makes you stronger.
A
hero who saved 100 lives does not fall. That is the day, he rises.
3 comments:
Glad you made this statement -- "Accepting one’s own weaknesses makes you stronger.... That is the day one rises ". To admit one's weakness is not an easy task especially for anyone with a big ego. That is why the wise and learned rishis of yore says to throw the ego away for it is an obstacle waiting to trip anyone who looks away from the right path.
True one cannot abstain for long without water all the more air. But ...errr...making love?...I differ on that point. I believe one can survive without it if one's mind and focus is on a higher plain.
We are always fighting with our emotions -- sometimes unable to express, we try to suppress..whilst struggling to come to terms and to release or meet the inner most desires.
At one end, the learned and realised sages have conquered and overcome their desires and wants, which imprisons and binds one in this world of samsara.
On the other extreme. we have people who are imprisoned, caught in this world due to their addictions in life whether it be drugs or sex etc.
The way out --> reflect, admit and then cut the shackles.
Sometimes one may know the answer to the question in one's life. However, it ain't easy to carry it out or put into practice. There are other obstacles that pop up and have to be tackled and you need all the strength you can muster to fight those inclinations that emerge. What can one do if one is alone? How much of a fight can one put up with and for how long? In the end, you can only surrender.
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