MCJ Homepage
Film Noir Review
"Flyboys" tells it like it was!
by Judy Marker--Movie Critic
"Flyboys" provides a rare and realistic look at the initial years of air combat that began during the First World War.
Based on facts, it also tells a powerful story of interpersonal relationships.
It is the spring of 1916 and Blaine Rawlings (James Franco "Spiderman I & II"), has been struggling to make ends meet on his Texas ranch for the past several years. With the death of both parents, he had to drop out of school and work 12-hour days, everyday.
Unable to make payments or obtain credit, the bank forecloses. Evicted from the only home he has ever known, Blaine takes out his anger on the banker.
That night he goes to the town movie theatre not knowing what life holds for him.
When family friend Sheriff Detweiller tells him he has a 30-minute head start before being arrested for battery, Rawlings watching a newsreel of air combat over France instantly decides to go and join the French Layfette Escadrille Squadron. This was a special volunteer unit of the French air force made up entirely of Americans. America was still a year from entering the war.
Joining Rawlings are Yanks from all classes and backgrounds directly from the United States except for one, Eugene Skinner (Abdul Salis "Sahara") has been in France for several years. Boxing professionally in Marseille, he has risen to within reach of a title bout.
When the appeal for Americans to fly for France is made, Skinner immediately signs up to the shock of his promoter and trainer. Asked why he is going to fight for France and lose years of hard work and great success, he tells the Frenchmen that France has been a better home to him then America. Skinner, you see is Black.
As the only African American in his squad, Skinner not only has to battle the Germans but racial and class prejudices as well.
He has to prove himself every minute of everyday. His story soars "Flyboys" even higher.
Trying to weld so many backgrounds into a solid fighting force, French Captain Thenault (Jean Reno "The Da Vinci Codes") shows no favorites.
Neither does American squadron leader Reed Cassidy (Martin Henderson "The Ring") who has dominated the combat skies with more than a dozen kills.
Hunting for Cassidy, Rawlings, Skinner and company is The Black Falcon (Gunner Winberg "Millions"), a German super ace who leads a squadron of seasoned pilots against the allies.
"Flyboys" includes romance, rivalries, conflicts and plenty of air combat action scenes.
It is hard to believe that these airplanes were actually wood and canvas with engines and held together by wire.
Many of the air combat scenes may make you think you are watching a video game but then times were so different.
Director Tony Bill has a winning cast and story. What happens when Skinner returns to America in 1918 as a highly decorated pilot? You will just have to see the movie.
"Flyboys" is rated "PG-13" for action violence, sexual themes and language.
It has a running time of just over 2 hours and receives my second highest rating of "4-J’s/Don’t miss it!"
