Flightplan

Cast:
Jodie Foster as Kyle
Peter Sarsgaard as Carson
Sean Bean as Captain Rich
Kate Beahan as Stephanie
Michael Irby as Obaid
Assaf Cohen as Ahmed
Erika Christensen as Fiona
Shane Edleman as Mr. Loud
Mary Gallagher as Mrs. Loud
Haley Ramm as Brittany Loud
Forrest Landis as Rhett Loud
Jana Kolesarova as Claudia
Brent Sexon as Elias
Marlene Lawston as Julia
Judith Scott as Estella

Review:
Kyle (Jodie Foster) is returning to America with her daughter (Marlene Lawston) following the suicide of her husband. Halfway through the flight she awakens to discover her daughter has disappeared and worse, no one has any memory of her daughter getting on the plane.

“Flightplan” is an above average thriller largely due to the choices of director Robert Schwentke making his English language debut. A suspense thriller, Schwentke directs it like a ghost story adding a profound sense of darkness to the proceedings that effectively puts the audience in Kyle’s mood.

Foster delivers another strong, if slightly by the numbers performance, but when Kyle makes her turn and decides that she’s not crazy and her daughter is alive, Foster and Schwentke build a powerful quiet moment that makes the entire film worthwhile.

Sarsgaard, normally a very charismatic actor, is not at his best here, but Bean delivers as the stalwart but conflicted captain. The various passengers and flight crew members, however, are treated very well, given just enough space to make an impression and fulfill their obligations to the plot without ever intruding too much on it.

As with many modern thrillers the actual plot, once it comes to light, is a bit implausible, there are a few too many turns towards the end, and the climax errs towards anti-climatic. That being said, it’s well put together and entertainingly moody, and what more could you ask from a thriller?

“Flightplan” is rated PG-13 for violence and some intense plot material.