Passengers

Some years back it became quite the trendy thing for movies to wrap up with unexpected twist endings that left its viewers shocked and longing to re-watch the film, taking in what they missed. Perhaps, after a time, these movies became less frequent because the very method grew tired, unoriginal… I imagine success could still be reached with this surprise ending genre—if an inventive and original formula could be found. Suffice to say “Passengers” is not such a film.

Claire Summers (Anne Hathaway) is the therapist overseeing the case of five survivors, after their plane crashed tragically on a local beach. With conflicting memories and varying degrees of trauma, Claire finds it a struggle to relate to her patients. The one she seems most drawn to, however, is Eric (Patrick Wilson). Due to Eric’s odd behavior, coupled with bizarre accusations from some of the other survivors, Claire begins to suspect that there is an airline cover-up going on. Believing that the truth would lead to healing—Claire crosses the line to find the missing pieces and discover what truly went on…

Negatives

• There is a moderate amount of profanity strewn throughout the film.
• There is a fairly graphic sex scene between Claire and Eric, roughly halfway through the movie. Though there is no nudity, the implied gestures and expressions leave little to the imagination.
• The very premise of the film, once it is revealed, pretty much leaves God out of life’s general picture.

Overall, I was really disappointed in “Passengers.” While it was obviously going for that big twist ending, with high hopes of keeping its viewers on the edge of their seats from intensity, this film only seems to keep its watchers thoroughly confused. Although it wasn’t unbearable to watch, it did sort of feel like a wasted hour and a half.

Violence: Mild / Profanity: Moderate / Sex/Nudity: Heavy

See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.