By John Mulderig, OSV News
NEW YORK (OSV News) – Although it’s mostly set high above the mountains of Alaska, the crime drama “Flight Risk” (Lionsgate) cannot be said to soar.
It’s a reasonably suspenseful yarn, and reflections on morality add some weight to the proceedings. Yet the villain of the piece displays a degree of sheer wickedness that strains credulity. Since one aspect of his iniquity is a taste for perverse sexual cruelty, moreover, director Mel Gibson’s thriller is strictly for grown-ups.
Fugitive accountant Winston (Topher Grace) is hiding out in the wilds of the 49th state when federal marshal Madolyn Harris (Michelle Dockery) catches up with him. They quickly strike a plea bargain deal based on his willingness to testify against the criminal kingpin for whom he’s been cooking the books.
The next step is to transport Winston, handcuffed and shackled, to Anchorage and then on to Seattle. However, Daryl Booth (Mark Wahlberg), the pilot hired to make the first leg of the trip, turns out not to be what he initially seems. That development leaves both Madolyn and Winston facing mortal peril.
Their jeopardy inspires introspection even as the balance of power onboard shifts back and forth. But there’s something of a low-rent feel to the project and screenwriter Jared Rosenberg’s script comes larded with obscenities as well as threats of perverse depravity that threaten to overshadow underlying lessons about compassion and conversion.
Thus, overall, viewers of “Flight Risk” can expect to find themselves traveling in tourist rather than first class. Given that they’ll also be facing some ethical and verbal turbulence during their voyage, many may, in fact, prefer to stay home.
The film contains distasteful themes, some scenes of gory violence, a few uses of profanity, several milder oaths, pervasive rough dialogue and much crude language. The OSV News classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
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