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Sole Survivor of Flight 119 – Review
Sole Survivor of Flight 119 – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Lisa’s mom, Wendy, bought her a vacation to Mexico. Wendy’s been going through a contentious divorce, raising their daughter, Ella, alone, and working full-time. Wendy assures Lisa she will watch Ella and commands Lisa to relax. Lisa smiles until her phone rings. As she picks it up, she bumps into another woman. She apologizes and answers the call. Her soon-to-be ex-husband, Rick, knows she’s at the airport and starts an argument. She attempts to calm him but makes an excuse to end the call. Ella buys matching airplane keychains for good luck and gives one to Lisa. Lisa boards Flight 119 and sits next to Kay-la. During the flight, they experience turbulence. Lisa isn’t worried and uses conversation to ease Kay-la’s mind. Momentarily, the flight evens out. However, they quickly descend, the lights flash, and everyone screams. Lisa texts her mother, holds Kay-la’s hand, and braces herself. When Lisa opens her eyes, she is buckled into her seat and hanging from a tree. She unlatches her seatbelt and falls, dislocating her arm. She slams her arm into a tree and calls for help, but no one is there.
Pacifica Airlines Executive Rebecca approaches the information desk because the storm grounded her flight. She needs to make it to a meeting. Rebecca requests to be on the next flight, but the staff member says Flight 119 is full. Rebecca uses her VP status and gets added to the top of the waitlist. She thanks the staffer and exits, bumping into a woman. She flies, lands, and gets her hotel room. Later that night, Rebecca gets a call from Pacifica Representative Jennifer. She verifies Rebecca’s identity and tells Rebecca to report for search and rescue. Rebecca doesn’t understand why they called her because she’s an executive. Rebecca took accident response training 5 years ago and is now near the response center. Jennifer demands Rebecca meet with her commander, James, for further instructions.
Rebecca arrives and tries to get disqualified from the team. James won’t let her. She walks to the wall of victims and sees Lisa’s picture. She remembers bumping into her at the airport. She lies and tells James she was assigned to the family. James laughs, calls out her lie, and gives her Wendy’s information. Rebecca sits with Wendy and Ella, but doesn’t show the proper emotions. Wendy asks her to leave.
Rebecca can’t forget the woman she bumped into days earlier. And she remembers she was supposed to be on that flight. She wants to talk to Wendy again but doesn’t know how. James advises Rebecca, and she tries again. Rebecca offers a more compassionate approach, and Wendy responds in kind. Wendy shows Rebecca Lisa’s last message, and it gives Rebecca hope. Since it was sent from the plane, they can use it to pinpoint where the flight went down. Rebecca won’t give up, and neither will Lisa. For both, surviving will be their second chance. Can they find each other in time?
Based on the novel Exit Row by Tammy L. King, this film focuses more on Rebecca than Lisa (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). The script should have leaned towards Lisa’s struggle in the jungle, not Rebecca’s communication skills. It’s acceptable to highlight Lisa’s family and their fight to get her home. The audience wants to know more about the survivor and the aftereffects. Not the search and rescue team. Lisa’s time on screen was inspiring. She honored others, remained calm, and expressed love for her mother and daughter. She even kept a sense of humor. Despite her circumstances, she never wallowed in despair. Her response explained why Lisa needed more airtime.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
I don’t know, Mom. Force of habit – Lisa
You’re lying – Elle
I make my good luck – Rebecca
God’s will is god’s will – Kay-la
Well, that sucks – James
Who gave you those instructions? – Wendy
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The Ocean Between Them – Review
The Ocean Between Them – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Miranda returns home after vacationing in Rome. Her sister, Ashley, is ecstatic to see her, but her mother, Joan, is angry. Miranda was supposed to be home hours ago, and she’s been drinking. Miranda apologizes but disappoints Joan again. She’s leaving for Belize in 48 hours. Joan wants more time with Miranda since her rock climbing accident. However, Miranda doesn’t believe her mom knows how to have fun. Miranda retreats to her room and finds a box of her mother’s old things. She uncovers a filled passport, a pocket knife, and several photos. She never knew how strong and adventurous her mother was. Miranda invites Joan on the trip so they can connect.
Miranda and Joan arrive, but Joan’s protective nature dampens Miranda’s spirit. Joan sees that her reaction negatively affects Miranda, so she encourages her to spend time with the bartender, Luke, whom she flirted with. Joan patiently waits for Miranda, but her anger grows when Miranda stays out all night. Miranda decides to get on a kayak and spend time on the water. Hours later, Jon learns that a dangerous storm is arriving. She waits at the shore, but Miranda never returns. Joan knows her daughter is in trouble and wants to save her. But can she do it with an ocean between them?
Based on Saved at Sea, written by Michelle Hamilton, this film isn’t only about survival but also the mother-daughter bond (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). The script expresses that the accident impacts both women differently. Miranda is more adventurous, while Joan is extremely cautious. Editors using Joan’s words as the voice of reason while Miranda was stranded for hours was an amazing idea. They fight, but their bond is everlasting. The green screen was too obvious, and the acting was flat during dramatic moments. However, the effects department did a wonderful job recreating Miranda’s injuries. This film is a bit over the top, but a true story with two lessons. First, be honest with your children about the person you were before you became a parent. And second, listen to your parents.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars
Mom, I didn’t mean to – Miranda
Are you drunk? – Joan
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