Flight

Flight is a 2012 film written by John Gatins and directed by Robert Zemekis. Robert Zemekis also directed Forrest Gump, Jamanji, The Polar Express and Cast Away. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards; Best Writing: Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen (John Gatins) and Best Actor in a Leading Role (Denzel Washington).

In the film, the leading character, Whip, is a commercial airline pilot who saves the day by landing a malfunctioned plane. The crash was certain to result in the death of all 102 passenges, but instead, Whip landed the plane and quickly became a hero. Soon thereafter, knowledge surfaces of Whip's condition the day of the crash. He was over the legal alcohol limit and also high on cocaine. Throughout the movie, Whip struggles with issues surrounding alcholism and drug addiction. He meets and helps a herroine addict, Nicole, but continues to struggle with his own issues. When Whip faces a hearing about the crash, despite help from a team of people, he gets drunk the night before. Despite this, it seems that he will exit the hearing without any repercussions if he lies about what happened on the day of the crash. In the moment, Whip knows that he will either face a life based on lies or a life based on truth. He chooses truth even though he is aware that this would mean jail time and a loss of his pilot's license. At the end, he discusses his experiences with fellow inmates and re-unites with his estranged son.

Please be aware that this movie contains brief nudity, drug references and graphic drug abuse scenes. As always, you would need to screen the movie before using it as a therapy tool.

Issues for discussion:
Drug abuse versus sobriety. (Whip's struggles, Nicole's struggles.)
End of life issues. (Whip and Nicole meet a cancer patient while in the hospital.)
The effects of drug use on families (Whip and his estranged family).
Living a lie versus being who you are (Whip's struggles).
The effects of drug use on the abuser (Whip's jail sentence, loss of family; Nicole's living conditions, health).