Airport

Directed by George Seaton, Airport follows a myriad of characters, including Burt Lancaster’s Mel Bakersfeld, Dean Martin’s Vernon Demerest, and Jacqueline Bisset’s Gwen Meighen, as they’re forced to contend with a potential disaster aboard a packed international flight. Filmmaker Seaton, working from his own screenplay, delivers a deliberate yet mostly engaging endeavor that benefits from the superlative efforts of its various performers, and there’s little doubt, as well, that the picture’s instantly-engaging atmosphere is perpetuated by its emphasis on appealing, stirring subplots – with, for example, the ongoing exploits of Lancaster’s beleaguered figure and the introduction/development of Helen Hayes’ compelling Ada Quonsett heightening the decidedly promising vibe. (It doesn’t hurt, either, that it’s always apparent that this is all leading towards some kind of airplane-related mishap.) And although the film, saddled with a 137 minute running time, admittedly feels a little on the long side, particularly in the somewhat flabby third act, Airport nevertheless stands as a better-than-average entry within the notoriously hit-and-miss disaster-movie genre.

*** out of ****

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