Today's blog is about the movie we watched the other night on pay-per-view -- Flight. This movie stars Denzel Washington as a jet pilot working for a major U.S. airline. It's pretty obvious from the beginning that the man has a problem with drugs and alcohol.
Yet, somehow he becomes an unwitting hero during a severe thunderstorm. While nearly everyone would want to applaud what he was able to do, evidence begins to point to the pilot's uncontrolled drinking.
This is one of those movies (and it's a long one at two and a quarter hours) where you start talking to the television set as though somehow your interest will change the outcome. This is one of those movies where the main character goes through a crisis and changes in response to it. This is one of those movies where you find yourself uncomfortable with the character in the movie you have come to like.
The co-pilot on the flight was seriously injured in the crash, and he and his wife are portrayed as believers. Thing is, they are the kind of believers that think that God caused the plane crash. I don't know where you stand on this kind of thing, but in my book, God doesn't cause plane crashes. God doesn't smote us. God doesn't wreak his punishment on us. God loves us but we are inhabitants of a world that is greatly affected by things like freak rain storms and our manmade creations like planes.
So as far as weakness in the movie is concerned, one would be that I have no idea how an unbeliever would react to the co-pilot and his wife's beliefs.
The pilot isn't alone in his misery. He has a number of people who step forward and try to help him, but as often happens in life, he isn't willing to do anything to change at that time. HE has to hit hit rock bottom first.
At the end, there is no honey-covered conclusion. But the ending makes sense and the film will do a great deal of good for those who just can't resist the mini-bar in a hotel room, or a visit to a bar, or a stash of alcohol hidden all over the house. And maybe just as much or more good for those who have to deal with an addict.
If you get a chance to see the film, I'd recommend it. "All things work into a pattern of good for those who love and serve the Lord." The movie demonstrates this.
By the way, Father Kevin gave a good sermon on Sunday. He mentioned how we worry about our loved ones, particularly those who are going down a road that doesn't appear to end anywhere good. He mentioned how he prays for his sister to come back to church, for example. THEN, he says, it is time to let go of the worry. God knows of our worry through our prayers and that is enough. If we are haunted by worry, we should pray that it leaves us and it will. No matter how many times the worry comes back, pray that it leaves. It is our acknowledgement that worry isn't going to solve our concerns. It is an acknowledgement that we trust in our Lord.
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