Name: Downfall: The Case Against Boeing
Genre: Documentary
Released: 2022-02-09T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: John Fantasia, Peter DeFazio, Elaine Chao

The image of a Boeing 737 MAX fuselage, its once-sleek design now marred by the jagged tears of an investigation’s spotlight, opens Rory Kennedy’s “Downfall: The Case Against Boeing.” This is not just another corporate scandal documentary; it’s a meticulously constructed indictment that turns technical failures into human tragedies. From the opening frames, Kennedy makes it clear that this isn’t just about planes—it’s about people.

Kennedy, known for her incisive documentaries like “Last Days in Vietnam,” weaves together interviews with investigators, journalists, and aviation experts—including Andy Pasztor and Chesley Sullenberger—alongside chilling archival footage of the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines crashes. The film’s strength lies in its ability to distill complex engineering failures into accessible, enraging narratives. The middle section, where Kennedy dissects Boeing’s cost-cutting measures and regulatory lapses, is particularly gripping. It’s here that the documentary’s emotional core emerges: the human cost of corporate negligence.

The performances from the interviewees are uniformly strong, particularly Sullenberger’s measured expertise and Pasztor’s dogged reporting. Kennedy’s editing, alongside Don Kleszy’s work, ensures that the documentary never loses momentum, even as it delves into dense technical details. The archival footage, especially the raw, unfiltered reactions from the crash sites, adds a visceral punch that underscores the human toll.

Yet, for all its clarity and outrage, “Downfall” sometimes feels like it’s retreading familiar ground. The narrative structure, while effective, occasionally leans too heavily on the well-trodden path of whistleblower testimonials and damning emails. Kennedy’s decision to sidestep Boeing’s direct participation in the film is understandable but also limits the documentary’s ability to offer a counterpoint. Without Boeing’s perspective, the film risks feeling one-sided, even if its arguments are compelling.

Kennedy’s direction is marked by a relentless pursuit of truth, but it occasionally lacks the nuance that could have made this documentary truly groundbreaking. The film’s pacing is brisk, and its editing is sharp, but it sometimes feels more like a well-researched news segment than a cinematic experience. This is particularly evident in the way Kennedy handles the historical context of Boeing’s corporate culture. While she provides a solid overview, the film could have benefited from a deeper exploration of the broader industrial and regulatory failures that enabled these tragedies.

The documentary’s themes are timely and resonant. In an era where corporate greed often seems to trump public safety, “Downfall” serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of unchecked capitalism. The film’s exploration of Boeing’s prioritization of profit over safety is not just about aviation—it’s about the broader implications of deregulation and the erosion of public trust in institutions.

In terms of originality, “Downfall” stands out for its comprehensive approach to the subject matter. However, it doesn’t break new ground in terms of narrative structure or cinematic technique. The film’s genre fit is solid—it’s a documentary that will appeal to fans of corporate exposés and aviation enthusiasts alike—but it doesn’t transcend the expectations set by similar films.

Comparing “Downfall” to other documentaries in the same vein, such as “The Big Short” or “Spotlight,” it becomes clear that Kennedy’s film is both more focused and more limited. While those films benefited from dramatic reconstructions and a broader narrative scope, “Downfall” relies heavily on interviews and archival footage. This approach has its strengths—it lends the documentary a sense of immediacy and authenticity—but it also means that the film lacks the cinematic flair that could have elevated it to another level.

The film’s target audience is clear: those interested in aviation, corporate accountability, and investigative journalism. However, its appeal extends beyond these niches. The human stories at the heart of the documentary make it accessible to a broader audience, particularly those who are concerned about the ethical implications of corporate decision-making.

In the end, “Downfall: The Case Against Boeing” is a powerful, if not revolutionary, documentary. It shines a bright light into a dark place, revealing the human cost of corporate negligence and the urgent need for regulatory reform.