Films that begin with the ever-so-common phrase “based on true events” are a dime a dozen. Films that begin with such a phrase and base nearly every fact on true events while remaining interesting and action-packed are a rare catch. “Flyboys” is one of those rare catches.
Unlike other historical dramas such as “Titanic,” in which filmmakers create fictional characters to amp up the film’s appeal, the characters in “Flyboys” are virtually clones of their real life counterparts but with different names.
James Franco of “Spiderman” fame stars in the leading role as Blaine Rawlings, a farm boy from Arizona who travels to France during WWI to join the entrancing LaFayette Escadrille. The Escadrille attracted a hoard of bright-eyed and bushy-tailed young men aspiring to be fighter pilots in the wake of the war.
What these men soon learned was flying in the early days of the airplane was not all glimmer and gold. The unpredictable and unreliable aircrafts combined with the intensity and rawness of combat was enough to shake even the strongest of men.
Franco is joined by a supporting cast of lesser known actors who do an excellent job of bringing to life the diverse group of naive aviators. David Ellison portrays Eddie Beagle, a jokester with a shady past that is later brought to the forefront by fellow pilot Briggs Lowry.
Lowry is an alumnus of Harvard and the son of an affluent banker. He comes to France with a pompous attitude that is later transformed through his unlikely friendship with Eugene Skinner. Skinner, the son of a former slave who is portrayed by Abdul Salis, was the first and only black fighter pilot in WWI.
Also in the film are Phillip Winchester and Martin Henderson. Winchester plays William Jensen, the pilot dealing with being overseas without his fiancé. Henderson plays Raoul Lufbery, the guarded and vengeful sharpshooter who later becomes a mentor to Franco’s character.
Franco is the shining star of the film, as both the fearless man’s man and the charming ladykiller. He even makes the lackluster romantic storyline between Rawlings and French bombshell Lucienne (Jennifer Decker) somewhat interesting. The so-called romance is underdeveloped and ultimately goes nowhere fast.
The cutesy love story, along with dazzling special effects, beautiful landscapes, acrobatic planes and endless skies, almost makes one forget the dark and dreadful war the movie is centered around.
But despite these minor issues, “Flyboys” pulls through as a high flying film. It not only honors the brave duties of the WWI Escadrille, but it unveils the adventure and emotion of humans placed in unimaginable circumstances.
