The Theory of Flight (1998)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Paul Greengrass

Writer:

Richard Hawkins (writer)

Release Date:

22 January 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Plot:

A dreamer who aspires to human flight is assigned public service after one of his attempts off a public building...

Plot Keywords:

Gigolo | Wheelchair | Community Service | Court | Bank

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Helena Bonham Carter	...	Jane Hatchard
Kenneth Branagh	...	Richard
Gemma Jones	...	Anne
Holly Aird	...	Julie
Ray Stevenson	...	Gigolo
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Daryl Beeton	...	Club Organiser
Robert Blythe	...	Farmer
Richard Hibbert	...	Kite boy
Aneirin Hughes	...	Doctor
Jill James	...	Mrs. Allen
Sue Jones-Davies	...	Catharine
Ruth Jones	...	Becky
Frances Lima	...	Julie's Colleague
Sian Naiomi	...	Volunteer
Gwenyth Petty	...	Magistrate
Dilys Price	...	Mrs. Williams
Nia Roberts	...	Checkout Girl
Deborah Sheridan-Taylor	...	Shop Assistant
Natasha Williams	...	Care Worker
Sidney Williams	...	Club Owner

MPAA:

Rated R for sexuality and language.

Runtime:

101 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:L | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | France:U | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Singapore:PG | UK:15 | USA:R | Philippines:PG-13

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Quotes:

Jane: Money is a means to an end. Sex is that end.

Movie Connections:

References Pretty Woman (1990)

Soundtrack:

Have a Little Faith in Me

How nice, but couldn't it be better?

Sometimes, when you grow weary of all the glamorous! American style movies, you look forward to seeing one from Europe that does not deal much with the art's technological aspects but the story and the feelings alone. I have thought that "The Theory of Flight" was a film of emotions and atmosphere. Honestly, I think it was planned to be that way. Unfortunately, the result was not satisfactory. K.B. and H.B.C. are great, I can't ignore their invaluable contributions to the movie. But I feel something was lacking. The characters were not deeply analysed maybe, or the situation of being "cripped" was mentioned better in other films (remember "My Left Foot"). In the 15. minute of the movie, we have learned that Jane was desiring to lose her virginity like normal people. And the story finished! Nothing else. The remaining portion just concentrated on this matter. How about Richard's own problems, Anne's point of view on having a daughter like Jane? In fact, we don't understand Jane's feelings, too. We just make guesses depending on our knowledge of other movie characters. I finally must say that seeing K.B. and H.B.C. together in a movie was nice. They play their roles very well. But as a whole, "The Theory of Flight" is a shallow movie. It should have been better with these players and this interesting story.