On a Wing and a Prayer is a bumpy cinematic ride

MPAA Rating: Not Rated at the Time of this Review
Reel Rating: 2.5 out of 5 reels

Flying as a passenger is often nerve-wracking enough. Being forced to pilot a plane mid-flight with almost no experience is an entirely different level and magnitude of panic. Yet that is exactly what one ordinary man, with his family in tow, was forced to do. His story is inspiring, the film adaptation based on his story is not quite as compelling.

Doug White (Dennis Quaid) is a millionaire pharmacist who has achieved the American dream: a good business, a beautiful wife, two aloof children, and the ability to pursue whatever happiness he desires. His largest challenge is placing first at a barbecue cooking contest at a local charity.

Then his brother dies. Even though his sibling was old, overweight, and led a great life, it throws Doug into a spiritual crisis. Where is God when bad things happen? Little does Doug know that a much greater challenge is looming.

Returning on a private plane from a vacation with his family in Florida, the pilot has a massive heart attack. Doug takes control of the plane and, under frantic directions from air control, must learn how to fly – and land – the aircraft. There will be other challenges, including a medical emergency with his daughter and a looming thunderstorm. It’s going to require not just skill but an incredible amount of grace for them to get out alive.

Like Doug’s ill-fated journey, On a Wing and a Prayer is a bumpy ride. The acting is all over the place, and the script is underdeveloped. One guys calls another guy who tells another guy what to say to Doug. Yes, it’s what really happened, but cinematically some liberties would have immensely served the story. Despite these problems, the visual effects and cinematography are quite good for such a low budget film. The camera moves seamlessly inside and outside the craft. The pacing is also good, keeping the audience on their toes while never being overbearing.

When Doug’s brother dies, his wife is quick to remind him of God’s goodness. People are constantly saying, “I’ll pray for you.” When piloting the plane, everyone comes to God for help. Expressions of faith are everywhere.

In the Pacific Northwest, where I reside, On a Wing and a Prayer would automatically be branded a “Christian film.” Yet, to many Southerners, this is just part of life, as regular and conventional as good manners and tabasco sauce. As such, it feels organic as an expression of culture but not noteworthy as a work of faith. It upholds the goodness of God and help he gave Doug, but it is not especially profound.

On a Wing and a Prayer in the end, is an enjoyable little film that never really gets off the ground. The movie, unfortunately, is not as compelling as the source story. Perhaps this was just the nature of the event; perhaps the mistakes of the filmmakers. But, undoubtedly, Doug White and his family are grateful it happened. And the story will remain long after the film has faded.