{"id":10637,"date":"2023-04-04T04:32:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-04T11:32:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/?p=10637"},"modified":"2023-04-03T16:33:22","modified_gmt":"2023-04-03T23:33:22","slug":"on-a-wing-and-a-prayer-puts-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat-with-a-compelling-plot-and-sincere-performances","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/2023\/on-a-wing-and-a-prayer-puts-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat-with-a-compelling-plot-and-sincere-performances\/","title":{"rendered":"On a Wing and a Prayer * Puts You On The Edge Of Your Seat With A Compelling Plot And Sincere Performances"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/onawingandaprayer.poster.jpg?resize=113%2C150&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10641\" width=\"113\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/onawingandaprayer.poster.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;ssl=1 225w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/onawingandaprayer.poster.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/onawingandaprayer.poster.jpg?resize=1152%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1152w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/onawingandaprayer.poster.jpg?w=1200&amp;ssl=1 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 113px) 100vw, 113px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>After a small-town pilot mysteriously dies during flight, passenger Doug White is forced to land the plane to safety and save his entire family on board. Based on an astonishing true story of faith and survival, this film follows one man&#8217;s harrowing journey to save his family from insurmountable danger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Eshaan M. comments, \u201cBased on a true story, (this film) will put you on the edge of your seat throughout its duration, with a compelling plot and sincere performances by Dennis Quaid and Heather Graham. It\u2019s a film for aviation geeks and thriller fans, as well as general audiences.\u201d See his full review and interview with the director below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On a Wing and a Prayer<br>By Eshaan M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0MuqJ71dng0?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/onawing.a.jpg?resize=225%2C127&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10638\" width=\"225\" height=\"127\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/onawing.a.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/onawing.a.jpg?resize=1024%2C577&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/onawing.a.jpg?resize=768%2C433&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/onawing.a.jpg?w=1338&amp;ssl=1 1338w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><em>On a Wing and a Prayer<\/em>, based on a true story, will put you on the edge of your seat throughout its duration, with a compelling plot and sincere performances by Dennis Quaid and Heather Graham. It\u2019s a film for aviation geeks and thriller fans, as well as general audiences. My only advice: don\u2019t watch this before you get on a flight!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>On a Wing and a Prayer<\/em> follows the story of Doug Smith (Dennis Quaid), a Louisiana pharmacist. On a family getaway, Smith hears of the death of his brother, a pilot, and is shattered to the point of questioning his faith in God. He is put to the test when, after the memorial services and as the Smiths are on their way home, the pilot of their private plane dies mid-air. Doug must pilot the plane to a safe landing and save his family from what seems like impending death, combating medical emergencies and a tropical depression\u2026.oh, and did I mention Smith has never flown for more than an hour before?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/v5N75aE6pqw?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/onawing.b.jpg?resize=225%2C127&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10644\" width=\"225\" height=\"127\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/onawing.b.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/onawing.b.jpg?w=699&amp;ssl=1 699w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">DSC_0953.nef<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The cast of<em> On Wing and a Prayer<\/em> dazzles. Dennis Quaid plays Doug Smith with conviction and honesty. In one of Quaid\u2019s more serious performances (I don\u2019t think he flashed his famous grin even once during the film), he takes on a paternal role that will have you spellbound. What I especially like about Quaid\u2019s character is how unapologetically clueless he is at times; the film shows that even the \u201cmacho man\u201d can be rendered helpless in an unfamiliar environment and stressful circumstances. But he never gives up. Heather Graham, who plays Smith\u2019s wife, acts as the consummate copilot, remaining strong and supportive throughout the film. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/onawing.c.jpg?resize=225%2C127&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10643\" width=\"225\" height=\"127\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/onawing.c.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/onawing.c.jpg?w=699&amp;ssl=1 699w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>I never saw Graham as an actress made for maternal roles, but there\u2019s something uniquely warm about her portrayal in <em>On a Wing and a Prayer.<\/em> A good portion of the film is shot in the cockpit of a King Air plane, and the versatility of shots used is understandably limited. This leads to parts of the film not feeling as visually stimulating as they could: you\u2019re staring at a medium closeup of Smith and his wife for forty minutes. In <em>On a Wing and a Prayer<\/em>, two kids enthusiastic about aviation track the progress of Smith\u2019s flight, even biking to the runway to watch him land. This angle feels unnecessary in the film and leads to some confusion. <em>On a Wing and a Prayer<\/em> is certainly a dialogue-heavy film; the actors\u2019 lines are what carry it. Still, the music could have been better utilized to accentuate the tension of the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/onawing.d.jpg?resize=225%2C95&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10642\" width=\"225\" height=\"95\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/onawing.d.jpg?resize=300%2C126&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/onawing.d.jpg?w=699&amp;ssl=1 699w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 225px) 100vw, 225px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><em>On a Wing and a Prayer <\/em>promotes perseverance when times get tough. The film assures viewers, especially those who feel like all\u2019s lost, that they have people in their corner who will support them at all costs, in the same way that the Florida air traffic control metaphorically held Doug\u2019s hand throughout the whole harrowing experience. In terms of parental advisories, there are mentions of death, and Smith\u2019s daughter suffers a violent allergic reaction onboard the plane. If you\u2019re afraid of planes or of flying, this also might not be the best film for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I give <em>On a Wing and a Prayer<\/em> 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. <em>On a Wing and a Prayer<\/em> is available on Prime Video on April 7, 2023.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/C4UKU7W3PKE?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After a small-town pilot mysteriously dies during flight, passenger Doug White is forced to land the plane to safety and save his entire family on board. Based on an astonishing true story of faith and survival, this film follows one man&#8217;s harrowing journey to save his family from insurmountable danger.<\/p>\n<p>KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Eshaan M. comments, \u201cBased on a true story, (this film) will put you on the edge of your seat throughout its duration, with a compelling plot and sincere performances by Dennis Quaid and Heather Graham. It\u2019s a film for aviation geeks and thriller fans, as well as general audiences.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[4949,15],"tags":[6430,1344,1783,281,6432,6431,6427,6429,551,1166,6428,6437,6435,6436,6434,6433],"class_list":["post-10637","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-feature-film","category-feature-film-reviews","tag-a-wing-and-a-prayer","tag-amazon-prime","tag-by-kids-for-kids","tag-dennis-quaid","tag-faith-in-god","tag-heather-graham","tag-jesse-metcalfe","tag-jesse-metcalfe-interview","tag-movie-review","tag-movie-reviews","tag-on-a-wing-and-a-prayer","tag-on-a-wing-and-a-prayer-forza-horizon-5","tag-on-a-wing-and-a-prayer-prime-video","tag-royal-air-force","tag-world-war-1","tag-world-war-documentary"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paS5I2-2Lz","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10637","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10637"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10637\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10646,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10637\/revisions\/10646"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10637"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10637"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10637"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}