The second theme noticed in Flight is “continuous lying about one’s addiction”, one that is tightly intertwined with our first theme.
Whip spends a lot of time tracking down crew members involved in the crash to ensure their reports to the FAA won’t reveal his drinking problem. This effort to ensure an agreed consensus of the crash highlights the lying and dishonesty Whip maintains to protect his addictive behaviours.Throughout the investigation, Whip also insists to everyone the drinks he had the night before the crash were the reason for his above 2.0 BAC (Blood Alcohol Content). These are common examples of self-preservation methods seen among individuals with addictions. All of these situations reflect Whip’s dishonesty and denial.
During his hearing, Whip tells the FAA he didn’t drink up to or on the day of the crash and he doesn’t have a drinking problem. When the FAA investigator begins asking questions about two empty vodka bottles found in the trash (there was no passenger drink service) and presumes the only potential person is the deceased flight attendant (whom Whip had a private relationship with), Whip tells the truth.
Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures
I believe Whip’s emotional connection with the flight attendant, Catrina, and her death causes him to reveal all his lies and secrets. He publicly admits he drank the vodka bottles, he was drunk the morning of the crash, and he was drinking every day up to the crash. In fact, he was drunk that very moment he claimed.
So what made him suddenly admit everything and be honest? At what point and why did he feel it was more important to be truthful and not lie? SCHC counselor, Jason McCarty, discusses some potential reasons for Whip’s behavior.
A potential reason why Whip could no longer uphold his lying is because it’s harder to hurt others than to hurt yourself. Even though many actively using individuals hurt others with their addiction, it’s usually not direct or intentional. While some can, many people with addiction cannot blame someone else for their own actions.
Another reason may be that his bond with the flight attendant seemed to be important and impacting enough that it gave Whip new meaning and understanding. In recovery, there is a paradox of change to put oneself first more and to also put others first more too. It’s not just enough to put oneself first in recovery and stay that way; there needs to be love and care for others. Interaction with friends and loved ones is integral to meaningful recovery.
While Catrina may be deceased, Whip at some level understood his blame on her would’ve hurt her if she were alive and, therefore, his addiction is hurting people still in his life. On a deeper level, he may also have perceived this behavior may be limiting others in loving and connecting with him.
Written By Casey Jordan, SCHC Social Media Coordinator
Flying High: An Analysis of the Film “Flight”- Part 3 will discuss our last theme on public perceptions of addiction.
Sources
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/10/world/jet-pilot-who-saved-304-finds-heroism-tainted.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Transat_Flight_236
http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/the-buzz/2012/11/film-review-flight.html
