The Theory of Flight 1998

Richard is an aspiring inventor with a penchant for creating rudimentary flying contraptions. In a moment of reckless ambition, he decides to don makeshift wings and leap from the rooftop of a London office building. The result is a spectacular crash landing that fortunately ends with the arrival of a rescue squad just in time. Following this dangerous escapade, Richard is sentenced to community service, where he is tasked with caring for Jane, a fiery woman afflicted with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Jane, known for her difficulty with previous caregivers, finds herself in an unlikely partnership with Richard.

As they spend more time together, an unexpected bond begins to blossom. Jane confides in Richard her urgent desire to lose her virginity before her health declines further. Struck by her vulnerability, Richard, albeit reluctantly, agrees to help Jane find someone to fulfill this wish, all while continuing his experiments with yet another flying machine in his spare time.

Their quest leads them to a high-stakes gigolo who would fulfill Jane’s request for a handsome fee of two thousand pounds. Unfortunately, they soon discover they lack the funds for such an arrangement. In a moment of desperation, Richard devises a plan to rob a bank. Yet, before he can carry out this ill-fated heist, Richard arranges for Jane to stay in a luxurious hotel suite and pays the gigolo five hundred pounds up front, promising the rest later.

As Richard embarks on his bank job, the gigolo attempts to comfort Jane, but she becomes increasingly anxious and ultimately opts out of the encounter. Just as Richard is wrestling with his own doubts about the heist, he makes the impulsive decision to flee the bank, gun in hand, calling out for Jane. Upon returning to the hotel room, he confronts the disgruntled gigolo and sends him away.

The film culminates in a touching scene where Richard and Jane soar through the sky in one of his creations, only for it to disintegrate upon landing. They are then seen sharing an intimate moment in bed, signaling the deepening of their emotional connection. Sadly, Jane’s health begins to decline, and she passes away soon after. In her memory, Richard erects a commemorative plaque on the wreckage of his flying machine, a heartfelt tribute to the extraordinary bond they formed during their time together.