Artist Scott Burroughs has been on the skids
for a while but after rediscovering a boyhood obsession with long distance
swimming he is on the up. Alcoholism is
on hold; the artwork is going well with a meeting due with a New York gallery to
discuss an exhibition; and there’s even an offer of a lift into the city on a
private jet.
The offer is from Maggie who is returning
from holiday at Martha’s Vineyard with her millionaire husband David Bateman,
their two young children, Rachel and JJ, and the family bodyguard. Also getting a lift is dodgy financier Ben
Kipling and his wife Sarah.
The planned flight is just a short hop. The
actual flight is even shorter as the plane ditches in the Atlantic minutes
after take-off. Somehow Scott survives the
impact, as does the boy, JJ. Scott’s
swimming strength is tested to the limit but somehow he manages to reach the
shore with JJ on his back.
In the aftermath Scott struggles with roles
of both hero and guilty survivor, questioned by crash investigators, the FBI (who
were about to indict Kipling), anti-terror state authorities, and a media bully
looking for dirt and someone to blame.
The unfolding story is punctuated by the
backstories of those who didn’t survive – six passengers and the crew of three –
that slowly piece together the events leading to the tragedy.
Noah Hawley, known for his Fargo TV scripts,
puts together a good story, wordier than most of its genre, giving voice to
Scott’s inner musings on the meaning of life, art and the modern media.
There is what seems to be one continuity
error, but it need not spoil the enjoyment of a decent and slightly off-beat
thriller.
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