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5.4/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.4/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Skyway remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
So, you want to know if you should spend an hour or so on Skyway? Honestly, probably not. Unless you’re a real completionist for old-school aviation dramas or you have a weird fascination with bank management plotlines from the early days, you can skip this one. It’s for the folks who like their movies dusty and a little bit stiff.
The whole thing is built around this pilot who thinks he’s too cool for school. He’s got that classic cocky swagger that feels like it was ripped straight out of a manual for 'How to Play a Leading Man in 1933.' His girlfriend, of course, is there to nag him about stability. She wants him to work at her daddy’s bank. It’s the kind of premise that makes you want to check your watch after ten minutes.
There’s this one scene where he’s looking at a bank ledger like it’s a death sentence. The acting there? Yikes. You can almost see the actor thinking about what he’s having for lunch. It’s not necessarily bad, just incredibly dry. It lacks the punch you’d find in something like The White Monkey, which at least had a pulse.
The pacing is all over the place. One minute we’re in the cockpit, and the next we’re stuck in a boardroom that looks like it was decorated by someone who hates joy. The transition is so jarring you’d think the editor was doing it blindfolded.
I found myself zoning out during the dialogue. It’s all very polite and very forgettable. It reminds me a bit of the awkwardness in Stolen Hours, where the characters talk but never really say anything. You’re waiting for a spark, but the movie just stays grounded.
Maybe if you’ve already seen High Up and you're still craving more aviation antics, you could give this a look. But don't expect it to change your life. It’s just... there. A middle-of-the-road flick that doesn't really try to be anything else. ✈️