Whip must navigate a legal minefield, aided by his union friend Charlie Anderson (Bruce Greenwood) and a calculated defense attorney, Hugh Lang (Don Cheadle).

While his legal team works to suppress the toxicology results, Whip spirals further into his addiction, finding a kindred spirit in Nicole (Kelly Reilly), a recovering heroin addict.

The film opens with an intense, "white-knuckle" aviation sequence that has become legendary in cinema. (Washington) is a veteran pilot who, despite his immense skill, is battling severe alcoholism and cocaine use.