Last Flight Home
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Last Flight Home
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Last Flight Home is a documentary about the desire by airline executive Eli Timoner to end his life due to declining health. References and images include aid-in-dying medications, a dead body, bedsores, partial nudity of a terminally patient, COVID-19 protocols, stroke, paralysis, cigarettes, and glasses of wine. Swear words include "ass," "bulls--t," "f---ed up," "hell," "s--t," and "s--tty." The film emphasizes the positive theme of enduring love and support for family and friends.
What's the Story?
In LAST FLIGHT HOME, Air Florida creator Eli Timoner experiences deteriorating health, which includes paralysis from a stroke 40 years ago. Now at age 92, Timoner wants to stop living. People with life-limiting illnesses such as Timoner may have the choice to terminate their lives under California's End of Life Option Act. The story of Timoner's decision-making process is shared through the lens of daughter and documentarian Ondi Timoner, with firsthand interviews, archival footage, and family photos.
Is It Any Good?
Ondi Timoner's visual narrative about dad Eli's life, final days in hospice care, and family legacy is memorable storytelling. "Even though he ran an airline," recalls Eli's wife, Lisa, in Last Flight Home, "he'd let me sleep in the morning and he would drive the carpool and get the kids to school. The mothers who were part of the carpool couldn't believe it." But Eli admits that current health concerns may show that it's time to get "ready to go to the next adventure" and be "up above with my folks looking over my wife and children and friends protecting them."
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the courage of the people in Last Flight Home. How do they also demonstrate communication, compassion, gratitude, and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?
What do you think about Eli Timoner's preference to die now? Should people have the right to choose to end their life? Why, or why not?
Timoner's grandchildren are allowed to visit his bedside at home. Why is it important to discuss the death of a loved one with kids and teens?
Movie Details
- In theaters: October 7, 2022
- On DVD or streaming: November 29, 2022
- Cast: Eli Timoner, Lisa Timoner, Rachel Timoner
- Director: Ondi Timoner
- Studio: Paramount+
- Genre: Documentary
- Topics: Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models, History
- Character Strengths: Communication, Compassion, Courage, Gratitude, Teamwork
- Run time: 104 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: December 27, 2022
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