Tubi Thursday: The Aviator (1985)

 After a man could fly, we saw the same man fly...again...in a plane.

This is the 1985 Film called The Aviator, featuring Christopher Reeve.

A Flight Instructor (Reeve) tries to coach a nervous would-be Pilot in 1918.

He freaks out and the plane crashes, giving Reeve a scar and blowing up the young guy.

10 years later, a Banker is trying to ship his Daughter (Rosanna Arquette) off to avoid some trouble.

She's a handful.

Reeve has grown bitter and separated himself from others in the ensuing Decade.

When he's told that he has to transport a person- which he's told is the future of airplanes-, he's not happy.

Can you tell?

They make a nice flight, even if they don't want to talk to each other.

Nice aerial shots.

Side note: this was Directed by George T. Miller and not the one you're thinking of.  Both are/were Australian though.

The guy at the first stop- Scott Wilson!- accidentally gives them a faulty oil line.

The plane loses oil pressure and crashes.

Now the unhappy duo must survive together while they wait for a rescue.

Good thing she's 17 in the Film, as opposed to 11 in the Book.

Arquette and Reeve butt heads.

The presence of a pack of wolves is also a factor!

Can they survive the environment and each other?

I mean...you know how it works, so...

The End.

A solid Film that has perhaps been a bit lost to history.  Sorry, Chris.

The 2004 Film of the same name won 4 Oscars.
This Film was likely seen by at least 4 people named Oscar.

I'm actually surprised to see the negative feedback this one got.  Granted- I care very little about what Siskel and Ebert say/said about a Film.

I think the problem is that the Film tries to be like an old timey Drama.  For me, that works.
For others, it is perhaps 'antiquated' and 'stodgy.'

Arquette and Reeve make a good combo, playing a combative pair that grow to like each other in a really natural way.  She has one moment- which is in character- where I could see you being annoyed by her.

Does this Film truly standout?  Maybe not.
Does the backlog of Films that Reeve did that aren't Superman Films need defending?  Hell yes.

I'm on the job!

A Film that is designed to look and feel like an older Film.  If that appeals to you or not, your mileage will vary.