Air America (film)

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Air America (film)

Air America is a 1990 American action comedy directed by Roger Spottiswoode, starring Mel Gibson and Robert Downey Jr. It’s loosely based on Christopher Robbins’ book about a CIA-run airline in Laos during the Vietnam War.

Plot
In 1969 Laos, pilot Billy Covington is recruited to fly for Air America, a civilian airline that is really a front for CIA operations. He team ups with veteran pilot Gene Ryack, and the two soon discover their flights are tied to heroin trafficking. As they dodge investigations and dangerous enemies, they grow tired of the deception and decide to expose the operation while trying to help local refugees. Along the way they face setbacks, break with their employers, and work out a way to survive and fight back against the drug-smuggling network. The film ends with the pair attempting one last plan to salvage their lives and money, and a closing note reveals the later fates of some key players.

Cast
- Mel Gibson as Gene Ryack
- Robert Downey Jr. as Billy Covington
- Nancy Travis as Corinne Landroaux
- David Marshall Grant
- Lane Smith
- Burt Kwouk as General Lu Soong

Production
- Director: Roger Spottiswoode
- Writers: John Eskow and others adapting Robbins’s book
- Producers: Daniel Melnick and Mario Kassar
- Budget: around $30–35 million
- Filming locations included Thailand, London, and Los Angeles
- Principal photography ran October 3, 1989 to February 10, 1990
- The production faced two earthquakes and a typhoon; some stunts used large numbers of aircraft and a big crew
- A new ending was shot after previews

Reception
- Box office: worldwide about $36 million (domestic roughly $31 million; international about $3 million)
- Critical response: widely negative
- Rotten Tomatoes: around 12% approval
- Metacritic: around 33/100
- CinemaScore: average grade B
- Some critics noted inaccuracies and criticized the film as a flawed blend of action, buddy comedy, and anti-war messaging
- The film sparked controversy for its treatment of CIA operations; Germany briefly pulled distribution after the Gulf War

Overall, Air America is remembered more for its big-name stars and action scenes than for its storytelling or historical accuracy.