Passengers (2008)

Plane Tease

By Jeffrey M. Anderson

Buy Passengers on DVD

Rodrigo Garcia's Passengers received something of a truncated release in 2008; it was schedule to open in San Francisco, and then never did. I'm not sure if the distributor panicked and cancelled dates, but I am sure that the film isn't very good. It's a kind of mystery with a "twist" at the end, though the twist leaves you feeling cheated; it's not clever or satisfying like a good twist should be. Anne Hathaway stars as Claire Summers, a therapist assigned to look after the survivors of a major plane crash. She never seems particularly equipped for this job, as her patients are easily able to fluster her. One survivor, Eric (Patrick Wilson), seems euphoric about his re-discovered life and flirts openly with Claire. Despite her professional ethics, she eventually succumbs to his "charms," though he seems more creepy and unstable than charming. At the same time, she suspects that the airline is covering something up and begins to snoop, which attracts the attention of some unsavory characters. Garcia's direction is quiet and unhurried, but he never properly deals with all these character inconsistencies; perhaps the goal, the "twist," was more important to him. The terrific supporting cast includes David Morse, Dianne Wiest, Andre Braugher and Clea DuVall.

DVD Details: Sony released this TriStar film on DVD in 2009. Garcia and Wilson provide a commentary track, and there are deleted scenes, a making of featurette, a featurette about the plane crash, and trailers. Also available on Blu-Ray.

With: Anne Hathaway, Patrick Wilson, Andre Braugher, Dianne Wiest, David Morse, William B. Davis, Ryan Robbins, Clea DuVall, Don Thompson, Andrew Wheeler, Chelah Horsdal, Karen Austin, Elzanne Fourie, Stacy Grant, Conner Dwelly
Written by: Ronnie Christensen
Directed by: Rodrigo Garcia
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for thematic elements including some scary images, and sensuality
Running Time: 93 minutes
Date: May 10, 2009