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- 2023
- PG
- 1 h 42 m
- 2023
- PG
- 1 h 42 m
Summary After a pilot dies unexpectedly while flying the plane, passenger Doug White (Dennis Quaid) is forced to land the plane safely in order to save his entire family.
Directed By: Sean McNamara
Written By: Brian Egeston
- 2023
- PG
- 1 h 42 m
- 2023
- PG
- 1 h 42 m
On a Wing and a Prayer
19
3.2
Where to Watch
Summary After a pilot dies unexpectedly while flying the plane, passenger Doug White (Dennis Quaid) is forced to land the plane safely in order to save his entire family.
Directed By: Sean McNamara
Written By: Brian Egeston
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Overwhelming Dislike
Based on 5 Critic Reviews
19
0% Positive
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
100% Negative
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
Metascore
Overwhelming Dislike
Based on 5 Critic Reviews
19
0% Positive
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
0% Mixed
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
100% Negative
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
Like “Soul Surfer” before it, On a Wing and a Prayer clearly aims to appeal to audiences seeking faith-based entertainment; but just because its story is based on events that are technically true, that doesn’t mean that ticket buyers should be subjected to a version of them that’s executed too predictably to believe.
The images portray a weightless crisis, and the film’s emotional narrative feels similarly insincere, with the balance of fate seeming to sway on the placement of a well-timed prayer.
User Score
Generally Unfavorable
Based on 9 User Ratings
3.2
11% Positive
1 Rating
1 Rating
22% Mixed
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
67% Negative
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
User Score
Generally Unfavorable
Based on 9 User Ratings
3.2
11% Positive
1 Rating
1 Rating
22% Mixed
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
67% Negative
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
IN A NUTSHELL:
This true story is about a family man, played by Dennis Quaid. After his pilot dies unexpectedly mid-flight, he has to safely land a plane in order to save his entire family from insurmountable danger.
The movie was directed by Sean McNamara, and written by Brian Egeston. The lovely Roma Downey served as the producer with Autumn Bailey-Ford, and the famous Mark Burnett as the Executive Producer.
THINGS I LIKED:
Dennis Quaid plays such likable and crusty characters, especially in recent years. Family members of the real Doug White, have said that Dennis Quaid’s performance was eerily accurate.
I’ve also always enjoyed Heather Graham’s performances, but I was surprised to see her play Dennis Quaid’s wife because she’s much younger than he is. He’s 68 years old, while Heather is 53. I know that’s not an impossible age difference for a married couple; I was just surprised by the casting.
Brett Rice plays Dennnis Quaid’s loving brother in the film. I got a kick out of their playful banter and support for one another. They have some very touching moments together.
There’s a honky-tonk vibe with a southern touch, giving us a soundtrack that’s a lot of fun.
It sure makes you appreciate pilots who know what they’re doing.
When I watch true stories like this, I often wonder how many of the details are actually accurate versus how many were added for dramatic effect. For example, it’s super cliché to have a child with a health emergency during an already dangerous situation, so was that part of the story true?
There are some sweet and touching moments.
It was clever to utilize the two children who were side characters to explain various flying principles to the audience.
We see personal growth in several characters.
We get to read messages on the screen at the end of the movie that tell us what happened after the events of the movie. We also get to see pictures and videos of the real people involved. As we watch a video of Doug telling the story of what happened, it’s touching to see that he recognized the many times when God intervened to save his family on that traumatic day.
It’s a family-friendly movie that illustrates how wavering faith can become strengthened.
THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:
Some of the scenes in the airplane have terrible green-screen shots.
Jessi Case plays a snarky, entitled teen with an attitude. I wonder how the daughter in real life feels about being portrayed that way.
It was surprising how quickly some of the air traffic controllers were willing to give up.
Some of the dialogue is pretty lame.
In one scene, we see dark clouds and rain where the little girl lives, but then, suddenly, we see perfectly blue skies in the next scene.
The unsung hero of the story is really Doug’s wife. She NEVER gave up hope, while Doug did. She constantly prayed and offered help, while Doug kept saying over the pilot headphone, “We need help!” Sure, he had to fly the plane, but she didn’t seem to get the credit she deserved. Since the real-life events, Doug is a faithful Christian.
TIPS FOR PARENTS:
People are in perilous situations
We see homeless people being fed by kind people
Lots of alcohol
A suggestive conversation about a one-night stand
Some “mild” profanity
A man dies of a heart attack
We see a man who is hungover
A teen helps another teen who has a health emergency
A family attends a funeral
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Not a bad survival story. There were a couple annoying, bratty kids and I could’ve done without that annoying girl narrating and editorializing all the way through the movie! Then in the end our annoying narrator is peddling her bike in the airport and it takes the officer in a Dodge Charger like 10 minutes to catch up with her?! That was just ridiculous! And that sappy HALLELUJAH ending in slow motion was a bit too much for me. Other than a few annoyances, it was alright. That Jesse Metcalfe dude is SMOKING HOT!!
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The best preachers always know how to tell a story and tie it back to a Biblical lesson, but director Sean McNamara has less than a youth pastor’s grasp on his main character’s crisis of faith.
On a Wing and a Prayer will certainly find its audience and pays respect to a man who did the impossible, but as a viewing experience, it misses the mark at every turn.
This is the film: Constantly rendered emotionless by decision-making both numbingly predictable and entirely inexplicable.
The movie has a good story but unfortunately gets lots in a heavily religious-themed narrative. Furthermore, as an aviation enthusiast, the CG for the external shots were heavily inconsistent with the real shots. Some the acting is straight dramatic rather one person. Acting wisely in moments of distress. Finally, the main actor is portrayed as dumb in controlling a plane when he already done flying before.
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The main story of an unskilled pilot safely landing a plane has its moments (mainly the technical stuff concerning airplane controls and ATC jargon) but the awful schmaltz that passes for acting by the wife and 2 daughters spoiled the movie for me, and I had to resist the temptation to fast forward all the religious overload that just does not allow one to enjoy what could otherwise have been a really well made thriller movie. Dennis Quaid keeps clear of most of the religious treacle, and I did keep thinking back to his role in Independance Day .
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Besides all the religious load, the movie brings in the mandatory stuff that you expect from Hollywood and the information gatekeepers. I feel sorry for the talented, charismatic main cast, who just need to make a living and don't have much of a choice nowadays, I guess.
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(Mauro Lanari)
When a director like McNamara competes with the Kendrick Brothers, he makes masterpieces that ridicule films such as "Sully".
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