The start of the movie shows Whip, played by Denzel Washington, waking up after an obvious night filled with sex and drugs. He has a hard time getting his head together, so he snorts a line of cocaine and quickly looks more awake. The audience then learns that Whip is a commercial airplane pilot, and the woman he was sleeping with was a flight attendant.
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Battling a hangover, Whip makes it to the airport, does a quick inspection of the plane, then climbs aboard. Before takeoff, Whip discreetly adds three sips of vodka to his orange juice. Once in the air, he hands the controls over to his co-pilot and settles in for a nap.
Whip suddenly wakes up from his nap because the plane is in an uncontrolled dive. The steering won't work. In order to save as many lives as possible, Whip flips the plane upside down, and then turns it rightside up just in time to land the plane on its belly. Miraculously, all but six people survive the crash. His flight attendant girlfriend is one of those six.
Whip learns that there is an investigation taking place regarding the plane crash and his actions because a blood test revealed an elevated blood alcohol level, and showed he had cocaine in his system. The corporate lawyer will fight to keep him out of jail, but Whip must stay sober. This proves to be impossible for Whip.
Whip met a girl, Nicole, while in the hospital. She's a drug addict who eventually gets kicked out of her apartment and moves in with Whip. She gets her life together, but eventually leaves Whip because he can't kick is addiction to alcohol.
Whip finally gives in and stays off the liquor. The night before his trial, he stays in a hotel room without access to alcohol. But he's extremely nervous and breaks into the room next door and invades the mini bar. Needless to say, his trail doesn't go as planned. Whip ends up in jail, where he finally gets clean.
Best part of story, including ending:
Although the story is about a tragedy and bad choices, it was a great movie that shows people how drugs and alcohol can ruin your life and the lives of people around you. It's a thought-provoking film that I'd definitely watch again.
Best scene in story:
My favorite scene was when Whip confessed in court that he's an alcoholic and he needs help. It takes a lot of guts to do that, especially since it looked as though he was going to be cleared of all wrongdoings. He even confesses that he is drunk right there in court. I wanted to see a good outcome and after watching this scene, I wasn't sure how the story was going to end.
Opinion about the main character:
I don't like the main character because he seems like he just doesn't care. He wants to do what he wants to do and doesn't take things seriously. But, I'm glad to see that although Whip ends up in jail, there is a happy ending. Denzel Washington is an amazing actor and this is just another movie that proves it.
