Statistics say that the flying is the safest form of travel, but that is a shallow comfort to air travellers when things go wrong, often resulting in horrifying and most unpleasant experiences. This is what happens to the protagonist of Fearless, 1993 drama directed by Peter Weir.
The plot, written by Rafael Yglesias based on his eponymous novel, begins when architect Max Klein (played by Jeff Bridges), the protagonist, survives terrible plane crash that killed all but only a handful of passengers. Max, despite previously fearing flying, was strangely calm during the event and was, unlike other survivors, unhurt. This experience changes him because he stops feeling any fear and starts indulging in activities he was previously reluctant to do or which would be considered dangerous or irresponsible. Although he is considered a hero by the public and offered huge financial compensation by airline, this experience puts a lot of strain on Max’s relationship with his wife Laura (played by Isabella Rossellini) and young son. Psychiatrist Dr. Bill Perlman (played by John Turturro) tries to bring Max back in life by connecting him with other survivors, which include Carla Rodrigo (played by Rosie Perez), young woman whose young son has died in the crash.
Inspiration for Yglesias was in his own experiences of surviving a car crash, as well as spectacular crash of United Airlines Flight 232 in 1989 Sioux City, Iowa. Peter Weir, Australian director, who was, at the time, at the height of his popularity, was intrigued by its exploration of important and sometimes unpleasant issues like mortality, grief, survivors guilt and post-traumatic stress disorder. He directed film very well, using cinematography by Allen Daviau, but the greatest asset of the film was in the cast. Jeff Bridges played strange and complex character with great skill and determination, and the role of Max Klein is often considered to be among the most impressive of his long and fruitful career. Rosie Perez is also very good in the role of grief-stricken woman who must come to terms with her unimaginable loss. Another great performance is given by Tom Hulce as ambulance chasing lawyer.
Weir, known for the style which is closer to art cinema than commercial Hollywood, has predictably won rave reviews. Yet, the film, despite Bridges being a genuine star, flopped at the box office. Later, film’s only Oscar nomination was thanks to Perez in category of Best Supporting Actress. Some might argue that the failure of Fearless might be due to very uncomfortable subject which makes viewing it very unpleasant experience for more sensitive or depressed segments of audience. But this could also be explained with Weir’s style being closer to poetry than prose, not allowing audience easy and simple explanations of what they see at the end. Confusion also stems from the film’s structure. When we are introduced to protagonist, he is already changed by the experience and the real Max emerges only at the end. Furthermore, Fearless doesn’t bother explaining whether protagonist’s apparent invulnerability is product of supernatural forces or not. Things are helped by well-directed and semi-hallucinatory end sequence that reconstructs the actual crash, accompanied with Symphony of Sorrowful Songs, classical music piece by Polish composer Henrik Gorecki, which is much more memorable than conventional score by Maurice Jarre. However, despite those flaws and despite Weir’s work being acquired taste, Fearless is a film that could be recommended to those that yearn for high quality dramas.
RATING: 6/10 (++)
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