Movie with Abe: The Runway (Capsule Review)

The Runway
Directed by Ian Power
Released on VOD July 18, 2012

Newly minted Oscar nominee Demian Bichir (“A Better Life,” “Weeds”) stars in this pleasant Irish film based on the true story of a South American pilot who landed his small plane in Ireland in the 1980s. His quick friendship with a young boy lends the film a sense of youthfulness and hopefulness, and the language barrier leads to plenty of entertaining interactions. There’s not much sense of the greater world present in the film, as all that exists for Paco, the fatherless boy who speaks just enough Spanish to communicate with Ernesto, are his town and the mystery man in a plane. This is a perfect role for Bichir, who gets to be a friendly father figure for Paco and a suave suitor for his mother, played by the lovely Kerry Condon from “Luck” and “The Last Station.” Ernesto’s journey towards his departure unites the town and brings together a fun ensemble of eccentric characters with an array of individual expertise that prove crucial to assembling the runway that will enable him to get back to his old life. It’s a sentimental, inspiring journey that delivers exactly what’s expected of it, an endearing if not incredibly enduring little movie.

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