Aftermath Review: Arnie returns in this powerful drama inspired by the Überlingen aeroplane mid-air collision incident.
Aftermath review, by Kat Hughes, April 2017.
Aftermath Review
On 1st July 2002, Bashkirian Airlines Flight 2937, a 154 passenger jet, collided mid-air with DHL Flight 611, a Boeing 757 cargo jet, over the southern German town of Überlingen. Everyone aboard both flights perished and the accident was attributed to a number of shortcomings on the part of the Swiss air traffic control service in charge of the flights, as well as ambiguities in the procedures regarding the use on the on-board Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) installed on each aircraft. Two years later, the air traffic controller on duty was murdered by one of the relatives of the deceased. This incredible real life event inspired new release Aftermath.
Switching the locale to America, Arnold Schwarzenegger plays Roman, a builder who is excitedly awaiting the return of his wife and pregnant daughter. After the crash he is desperate for closure, an explanation and, above all, an apology. When none of these are forthcoming, Roman takes matters into his own hands with devastating results. Running alongside Roman’s story is that of Jake, the air traffic controller working the graveyard shift, whom after being negligently left alone on duty, finds himself the unwitting fall guy for the crash. Equally broken, he and his young family try to piece their lives back together, but a tragic course has been set.
Aftermath Review
A film that is anything but the usual Schwarzenegger movie, Aftermath hones in on the power of grief. All of our characters are racked with the emotion, with both of our leads paralysed in different ways by it. Roman becomes fixated on his grief, unable to move on and leave his family at rest, whilst Jake loses the ability to feel anything other than grief, guilt and shame. The only explosions here are explosions of anger, hurt and regret. It’s a bold move for Schwarzenegger, but given the time in his career, it makes perfect sense for him to gravitate towards a more dramatic role.
The film is filled with powerful performances, Scoot McNairy especially gives a career best performance. Maggie Grace is also startling. Typecast for years as the airhead teenager, daughter or damsel in distress, she’s finally be given something of real substance to work with. In Aftermath she plays Christina, wife of Jake, a fiercely strong woman who takes charge when her husband crumbles. She also makes some very tough decisions, but they are all made from a place of love for her family.
Aftermath Review
The scenes in the air traffic control tower will haunt you, and are certain to pop into your head the next time you find yourself up in the air. As events unfold, things become increasingly more tense and knowing what will happen does not make things any easier. McNairy is amazing in this scene, his research into the role of an air traffic controller shinning through.
An emotive insight into a real tragedy, Aftermath is a brilliant and tense tale. Powerful performances from all involved elevate this story from what could have easily been TV movie, to a solid and worthwhile drama.
