New & Notable: 43,000 Feet
Directed By: Campbell Hooper
“My name is John Wilkins. I’m a statistician. And I have a few things to say to those that will one day find themselves in the position of trying to survive falling from a great height.”
When statistician John Wilkins is sucked out of a plane at 43000 feet, he calculates that he has exactly 3 minutes and 48 seconds before he hits the ground. This is devilishly witty writing because it is mostly all a ruse. As this man contemplates the past and the future, it is his current predicament that is most clearly in his head. The present triggers his contemplation, it leads to the conclusion that only the past matters, and he accepts his utter lack of control over the present with a simple “Good Luck”. It’s funny as hell and a little bit scary.
Hooper relishes in the humor and does it with great visual style. The color and lack of clarity as it relates to the physical world allows the audience to focus entirely on the words. He never gives a full picture, but each frame is beautifully composed. His manipulation of the image serves as a terrific counterpoint to the eerily monotone voice that carries the narration. His angles, sound, and the sudden changes in style drive up the tension very effectively. This is a must see.
Sometimes a Good Notion 