Final Approach (1991)

There are better movies of two hours length. I loved the actress'performance.

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

A man becomes aware of himself. He doesn't know who he is, what has happened to him, or why he is now sitting in an ethereal waiting room studying his reflection in a glass ashtray. Before he can learn the answers about himself, he must first learn how to find the answers from within.For those concerned with spoilers, the blurb for this movie, the cover illustration, and the opening sequence somewhat reveal the background. They also tend to make the movie look like it might be something that it's not. I would have opted for a blurb more like my first paragraph and a cover picture of said man (James Sikking) and a psychiatrist-looking guy (Hector Elizondo) standing nose-to-nose, obviously in deep discussion. It is the mystery of the unknown and the dialog between the two men that make the movie. The flight scenes are just the icing on the cake. And this is what undoubtedly kills the movie for so many viewers. If you are expecting exciting, high-flying action/adventure with thrilling over-the-top special effects, you're going to be seriously disappointed when you get two people talking in an office with a spattering of flashbacks and airplane clips. Spare this excellent movie another zero and watch something else!"Final Approach" is pure drama. It presents a never-ending stream of suspense in the form of a mind game between a lost soul and the person trying to help him find himself. As you follow the story you begin to understand the nature of psychoanalysis and how Hector's character puts it to effective use. As bits and pieces of the man's life are recovered, the mystery is unraveled. At the climax of the movie we discover who he is, what happened to him, and where he is going. Movies of this type are rare and this one is damned good!Make no mistake, "Final Approach" has it's share of stunning visuals, they just aren't in the form of cutting-edge special effects. They are subtle, presenting themselves in the form of atmosphere; the walls, the lighting, the furnishings, the clothing, and even Hector Elizondo's beard. To fully appreciate this movie you must have a love for the human mind and a firm grasp of the concept that less is more.

Final Approach is a classic mind ride through your subjective consciousness. It centers around two main characters - really superb actors - who rely on each other so heavily that they become one. The process of question and answer is matched by imagination and guess work. While you watch this film you will constantly question why you have the patience to continue, yet, at the same time, it will hypnotize you into to being completely mesmerized. This wonderful film is a piece of movie art. My only concern is that this film is not available on DVD and so many a young fan of perfect cinema will never encounter what other cult-fans have experienced to be an enlightenment of the human imagination.

Maybe I'm a masochist but I felt compelled to post a comment on this movie as 10 years on it's still one of the five worst movies I've ever been mad enough to watch all the way through. It has an interesting premise but this is totally wasted by a very confusing script. Messrs Sikking & Elizondo are talented actors but even they can't save this one. The only remotely interesting point is the bizarre moment when Hector Elizondo's character impersonates someone having a grand mal seizure - I'm no expert & I don't wish to belittle epilepsy but it seemed extraordinarily well done. This aside, I'd have to say - don't get suckered in by the video cover like I was - it just ain't worth it.

This film is lifeless, dull, and driven completely by cliche, with a "twist ending" you can guess during the opening credits. The average high school one-act is more interesting. I can't understand how it got so many 10-star ratings. James B., is that you?