“Flight Plan” soars with excitement
I’m not a parent. So I’ve never experienced the dread of losing a child (in death or in kidnapping). “Flightplan,” however, puts you right in the middle of the story when a peaceful trans-continental airplane voyage turns into a night of frenetic suspense.
Jodi Foster (“Panic Room”) stars as the recently widowed Kyle Pratt who’s starting her life over after her husband’s tragic death. Traveling back home to New York seems like the best decision for Kyle and her 6-year-old daughter Julia (Marlene Lawston). That is until Kyle wakes up from a long nap with Julia nowhere to be found. A chaotic search ensues throughout the plane as Kyle’s desperation to find her daughter soars higher and higher.
Foster is clearly the star here, and while her performance isn’t exactly amazing or deserving of a third Academy Award, she remains adequately convincing throughout every trembling close-up. When no trace of her daughter can be found, the passengers and crew of the flight begin to wonder if there was ever a daughter on board the airplane at all. And because Foster’s performance is so well-calculated, we begin to wonder ourselves.
This is where “Flightplan” does superbly well. Kyle’s behavior teeters on the borderline between reality and insanity. And we never get to the bottom of the mystery until Kyle’s forceful determination causes her to search the entire plane herself. The film remains sleek and claustrophobic while the shocking source of the mystery is slowly uncovered.
Although Foster does most of the work in this film, she is surrounded by a great cast of supporting characters. Sean Bean (“The Island”) as the stressed pilot trying to fly the plane safely and Peter Sarsgaard (“Shattered Glass”) as the sharp air marshall keeping a close watch on Kyle’s dangerous maneuvers. And of course, an airplane movie wouldn’t be complete without some ambiguous flight attendants (played most notably by Erika Christensen and Kate Beahan). Each character’s behavior is so subtle that it feels almost impossible to figure out where the truth lies. This further engages the audience and upholds the mood of anxiety, keeping you totally on edge.
The storyline efficiently combines human emotions of loss, confusion and desire with precarious moments of action. Smooth cinematography and editing highlight the confining environment of the vast airplane and create a concentrated, intense puzzle that is slowly put together. All of this is presented as a giant crescendo, which brings us to a crashing climax without any bothersome ups and downs. Because of this well-paced development of the plot, this film will have you wide-eyed and gasping regularly.
Robert Schwentke, a relatively fresh director who is mostly known for his work in German films, creates an intrusive, blurting experience that shows us how far one would go to uncover the truth. This film is only spotted with a few scenes of violence and yet, through the absence of language and abundant action, it still remains strong and prevailing.
Casey T. Allen is a movie critic for the Utah Statesman. Comments and questions can be sent to
caseyal@cc.usu.edu.