Folks, we have reached our cruising altitude of 1,500 feet, so I am going to switch the seatbelt sign off. Feel free to move about the living room, but please stay inside the living room until we land.

View from the Top is a surprisingly uplifting film about a woman who is determined to achieve success no matter what. Donna is a small-town girl with sky-high dreams. Her plan is to leave Silver Spring, Nevada and become a flight attendant. She accomplishes this by joining Sierra Airlines, but this is not enough for her. Donna and her friends decide to go for the gold and become real first class flight attendants. They attend a seminar and apply for jobs on Royalty Airlines. After some intense training, the attendants-in-training take their test, which will determine whether they will become "Paris, First Class, International."

Academy Award winner, Gwenyth Paltrow shines in her role as the loveable Donna. Usually I would say skip a comedy staring Paltrow, but this role seems like it was created just for her. Everything from her friendly, warm smile, to the way she moves convinces the audience that you just might see her on your next flight out of Cleveland to Chicago. Paltrow embodies the vision of today's empowered woman and she deserves credit for not failing, like she has with such films as Shallow Hal.

Her chemistry on-screen with Mark Ruffalo (You Can Count on Me) is also wonderful. The two seem to fit together and the chemistry between a couple can make or break a romantic comedy. This film may not be the breakout Ruffalo needs, but it definitely has brought him into the spotlight and he is an actor to keep your eye on.

We also get to see traditionally lead actor Mike Myers, be supportive. Surprisingly enough, this film is not one of Mike Myer's own creations, but he sure does treat it like his own. He plays the lazy-eyed flight attendant school instructor, John Whitney. His performance is hokey and over the top, but that is what makes it so enjoyable. Just because something is corny, does not mean you cannot enjoy it. This film is a comedy and we are supposed to laugh.

Another actor, who is surprising in this film, is Christina Applegate. An oldie, but a goody, Applegate has slowly been making her comeback after having left the spotlight of Married With Children. But now she is back and climbing the ladder through supporting roles, as in The Sweetest Thing. She has always had potential, and I think, like the rest of the cast in this film, she really brings it out through her sweet innocence and perky presence.

This film has an all-star cast, ranging from the likes of Rob Lowe to Candice Bergen. With each little line, these veterans help to bring to life this already vibrant film.

View From the Top also boasts a beautiful color scheme. When I first watched it, I was not sure what time period it took place in, because of the clothing and colors. When Mark Ruffalo came on the scene and I saw other characters in the film, I realized it was taking place in the present. Sometimes we have a habit of associating a flight attendant fad with the 1950s. This film does a decent job of blending the '50s flight attendant with today's view of flight attendants.

Bruno Barreto, who has in the past directed less mainstream pictures, has created a film that leaves you feeling good about life and yourself. It does not treat the audience like they are stupid, but makes sure they feel positive about themselves and world around them. Kudos to Barreto and let us hope he chooses to make more smart, feel good films like this one.

There are so few films out there right now that you can watch with the family, but this is one that lacks all those questionable items, such as sexual content and language. It is pure family entertainment, plain and simple and is a pleasurable pick for any family night.

"Last one off the plane has to clean it."
~Candice Bergen, View From the Top
 

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