Retro Film Review: Turbulence (1997)

At times, reviewing films can be quite a challenge. Some titles leave reviewers with more questions than they are able to answer. Usually it has to do with films that leave unusually good or bad impression, but sometimes those films can be inexplicably average. Turbulence, 1997 disaster film directed by Robert Butler, is one of such titles.

The plot of the film begins a day before Christmas. This is bad time for Teri Halloran (played by Lauren Holly), stewardess who has just been dumped by her boyfriend. It is even worse time for Ryan Weaver (played by Ray Liotta), serial killer and escaped death row inmate who has just been arrested. Weaver, together with unsophisticated bank robber Stubbs (played by Brendan Gleeson), is to be escorted by four US Marshals on Boeing 747 flying from New York to Los Angeles. Halloran is part of the crew and for her suave and mild-mannered Weaver doesn't look like a serial killer. But she would discover Weaver's real nature when Stubbs manages to get free during the flight. In resulting mayhem Stubbs, all the escorts, pilot and co-pilot get killed. For Weaver this represents a nice opportunity to go down in the blaze of glory instead of simply being put down like old dog - he wants to crash the plane into populated area. Halloran is the only person on board who could stop him and try to land the plane.

Turbulence, directed by television veteran Robert Butler, has the script based around old air disaster films that were so savagely (and effectively) parodied in Airplane! More than two decades ago. This time the laughs are quite unintentional and scriptwriters (including Steven E. de Souza of Die Hard fame) seem oblivious to whole series of plot holes and implausiblities (empty 747 on Christmas Eve is among the less severe of them). Presence of Ray Liotta, actor specialised for the roles of psychopaths, also gives not so subtle hints how the film would play out. On the other hand, Lauren Holly, who in Turbulence looks somewhat less glamorous than expected, is more convincing in the role of ordinary woman in extraordinary situation. The rest of cast (Catherine Hicks, Hector Elizondo, Rachel Ticotin, Ben Cross) is solid in their supporting roles, and Turbulence, despite its predictability, functions as a decent example of Hollywood genre film. Turbulence had its flaws, but it definitely didn't deserve being so savagely attacked by critics immediately after premiere. Its future, on the other hand, doesn't look any brighter, since some of the more recent events have another, and even less pleasant dimension to its plot.
RATING: 5/10 (++)

(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.movies.reviews on May 22nd 2003)

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