{{For|the science of flight|Aerodynamics}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}} {{Use British English|date=May 2012}} {{Infobox film | name = The Theory of Flight | image = Theoryofflightposter.jpeg | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = Paul Greengrass | producer = Ruth Caleb <br />Anant Singh <br />Helena Spring | writer = Richard Hawkins | starring = {{Plainlist| * Helena Bonham Carter * Kenneth Branagh * Gemma Jones * Holly Aird * Ray Stevenson }} | music = Rolfe Kent | cinematography = Ivan Strasburg | editing = Mark Day | studio = BBC Films<br />Distant Horizon | distributor = Miramax International<ref>{{cite web|title=Miramax Intl. clears 'Flight' rights|website=Variety|date=27 October 1997|access-date=29 October 2021|url=https://variety.com/1997/film/news/miramax-intl-clears-flight-rights-1116675387/}}</ref> (United Kingdom and Ireland; through Buena Vista International<ref>{{cite web|title=The Theory of Flight (1998)|work=BBFC|access-date=15 April 2021|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/the-theory-of-flight-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0zmzgyoda}}</ref>)<br />Summit Entertainment (International)<ref>{{cite web|title=Summit Ent. takes Flight|website=Variety|first=Rex|last=Weiner|date=24 July 1997|access-date=16 November 2021|url=https://variety.com/1997/film/news/summit-ent-takes-flight-1116676211/}}</ref> | released = {{Film date|1998|9|11|TIFF|df=y}} | runtime = 101 minutes | country = United Kingdom | language = English | budget = | gross = $73,233 }}
'''''The Theory of Flight''''' is a 1998 British comedy drama directed by Paul Greengrass from a screenplay written by Richard Hawkins. It stars Helena Bonham Carter and Kenneth Branagh.
It premiered at the 23rd Toronto International Film Festival on 11 September 1998. Bonham Carter plays a woman with motor neurone disease, and the film deals with the sexuality of people with disabilities.
== Plot == Richard, an unsuccessful artist who builds primitive flying machines, attempts to fly from the roof of a London office building wearing homemade wings but fails, instead crash-landing and only being saved by a rescue squad. As a result of his actions Richard is sentenced to community service, in the form of caring for Jane, an ill-tempered woman who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and has driven away her previous carers.
Over time, Richard and Jane become friends, and eventually Jane asks Richard to help her find someone to lose her virginity to, explaining that she does not want to die a virgin. Reluctantly Richard helps her search for an appropriate partner, while spending his free time building yet another experimental flying machine. Eventually the two settle on a high-priced male gigolo for Jane, who agrees to sleep with her for two thousand pounds. As neither of them has that amount of money, they conclude that Richard must rob a bank to secure the needed cash.
Richard books a hotel suite for Jane and pays the gigolo five hundred pounds, promising the rest later. As Richard leaves for the bank job, the gigolo lays a very nervous Jane on the bed, but she begins panicking and decides she no longer wants to go through with it. Meanwhile, Richard likewise changes his mind, drawing his gun in the bank but then fleeing immediately, calling Jane's name. He returns to the room and drives off the unhappy gigolo.
Richard and Jane are seen successfully taking a flight in Richard's flying machine, although it breaks apart on landing. The pair are then seen in bed, implying that they have slept together. Jane dies soon after, and the film ends with Richard placing a commemorative sign honouring Jane's memory on the wreckage of his flying machine.
== Cast == * Helena Bonham Carter as Jane Hatchard * Kenneth Branagh as Richard * Gemma Jones as Anne * Holly Aird as Julie * Ray Stevenson as Gigolo * Ruth Jones as Becky
== Reception == {{Rotten Tomatoes prose|48||21}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/theory_of_flight |title=''The Theory of Flight'' |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref> {{Metacritic film prose|48|15}}<ref>{{cite web |title=''The Theory of Flight'' |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/the-theory-of-flight |website=Metacritic |access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref>
It was the last film reviewed on-air by film critic Gene Siskel on ''Siskel and Ebert at the Movies'' before his death on 20 February 1999. Siskel gave the film a thumbs up, while his critic partner Roger Ebert gave the film a thumbs down.<ref name=AtTheMovies>{{cite episode|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIiczMgS864&t=709 |title=The Theory of Flight |date=January 23, 1999 |series=Siskel & Ebert at the Movies |network=Buena Vista Television |season=13 |number=20 |access-date=February 28, 2024 |time=11:49}}</ref> In his review for the ''Chicago Sun-Times'', Ebert gave the film 2.5 out of 4 stars, and wrote that it "is actually fairly enjoyable. At least it doesn't drown its message in syrup and cornball sentiment, like ''Patch Adams''. It has a lot of refreshing humor. But then, when you see the real thing, when you see ''Dance Me to My Song'', you're struck by the difference. Two movies. Same story. Same objective. Similar characters. Similar situation. One is an entertainment. The other is a thunderbolt."<ref>{{cite web |date=22 January 1999 |last=Ebert |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Ebert |title=The Theory Of Flight |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-theory-of-flight-1999 |website=RogerEbert.com|access-date=29 July 2025}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb title|0120861|The Theory of Flight}} * {{Mojo title|theoryofflight}}
{{Paul Greengrass}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Theory of Flight, The}} Category:1998 films Category:1998 romantic comedy-drama films Category:Films about disability in the United Kingdom Category:Films about sexuality Category:Films about male prostitution Category:Films directed by Paul Greengrass Category:British romantic comedy-drama films Category:Films scored by Rolfe Kent Category:1998 English-language films Category:1998 British films Category:English-language romantic comedy-drama films