NIGHTMARES LIVED (Flightplan (DVD))

Member Name: thingywhatsit

Product:	Flightplan (DVD)
Date:	21/02/06 (161 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A serious film.

Disadvantages: None.

Try to imagine a scenario. No one around you believes you, and their logic is such that every viewer of this film is left in an area of doubt as to the outcome of this film, which to me was like a psychological game-play that took the viewer from scenario to scenario, doubt to reality and back again, as the sequence unfolded that made a very well produced and presented film.

Jodie Foster plays the part of a mother, a lady grieving the death of her husband and taking his coffin back to her native America to begin a life with her daughter. Everything at this point seems reasonable, though as the story unfolds, and the daughter goes missing, what follows is a confusing mixture of emotion, played superbly by Jodie Foster, and presenting all the anguish that a mother would feel at the loss of her child.

Sound dull ? Well do not be fooled into thinking that the film is a banal bad news film or one of those films classed as drama. It isn't. The film is much more than that even looking from a simple point of view, because what it does is play with the minds of the audience, gives you logical reaction, followed by logical denial of fact. It is a thrilling movie, and one not to be missed, merited mostly when compared with the movies that compare in style, because they managed to make the story a convincing one.

Were I to compare this to anything I have seen before, I would have to compare it to the likes of Hitchcock, sit on the edge of your seat stuff, that takes you through the worst nightmare of a mother in such a psychologically challenging situation, balanced beautifully against the worst nightmare of an airline company pilot (Sean Bean). The cast is not impressive, though the action is, and I for one am not giving away any part of this story that would make the viewer get less from the movie than I did.

The film was made in 2005, and encapsulates everything that stands for suspense, memorable scenarios that are believeable and that will haunt human beings set in circumstances beyond either their belief or control. I believe that the rating for the movie of PG Guided 13 is actually a little too young, and would recommend viewers older than this, as the intensity of the plot could upset children.

The story was written by Peter A Dowling, with the added experience of writer Billy Ray, and was directed by Robert Schwentke, a German born director that has the capability of setting an accurate and convincing backdrop and atmostphere. The actor/actress interactions are convincing, and although the majority of the film is based in a plane, you do not get the feeling of it being low budget, whilst also not made too fantastic and unbelieveable by the use of special effects.

All in all, I would give the film 9/10 rating, although I felt that small weaknesses in the story held it back from a 10/10 rating. A good overall movie, with no frills, just a damned good story that viewers remember.

Watch it. You will not be disappointed.

Summary: Super Film. Not for the faint of heart.