Face to Face with Your Demons
Ted's experience flying fighter planes in the war didn't end well. He crashes and six of his men are killed. He's weighted down by the horror that still lives fresh in his mind as if it happens new each day. Now he must pilot this commercial airliner to safety, and if he doesn't everyone will die. He must come face to face with the reality of his trauma, and he has no choice other than to defeat it. If he does not it spells doom for all aboard.
Weight of the World
Ted has come aboard the airliner in order to save his marriage. However, he is quickly thrown into the cockpit and the weight of every soul on board now rests upon his shoulders. He has given up flying after the war as he experienced great pain physically, mentally and emotionally from it. Now he must be relied on to once again fight for the lives of his family and ordinary people, but this time he must do it facing down the truth that he has been traumatized by the war.
Marriage
The major theme of the film is Ted and Ellen's marriage. They are experiencing difficult circumstances in their life, and it appears as if their relationship is failing. But, it is the choice to brave the storms together without the certainty of survival that remain the poignant metaphors upon the airplane for marriage. Ellen and Ted eventually pilot the plane to a landing, together and begin the process of reconciling.
