A seasoned documentarian, Ondi is no stranger to turning the lens on her subjects. But in Last Flight Home, the subject is her father, and the story is his death.

Over the course of 15 days in 2021, Eli begins to say his goodbyes to those he loves. Speaking with friends and old colleagues, Eli informs and explains to those around him what he has decided to do, all while surrounded constantly by his supportive and characterful family.

One might be inclined to think that this film is a stance on the End of Life Option Act, or perhaps even a rumination on the concept of assisted dying, but this is merely the backdrop of Eli’s story. We see the administrative roller coaster that he must endure to be granted this right to die, as well as an explanation of how the process will actually work, but Ondi otherwise leaves it at that. Instead, she focuses entirely on Eli and his final farewell in a clear and measured manner.

Make no mistake, Last Flight Home is gut-wrenching. It’s easy to assume that the film will be melancholy due to the nature of its subject, but it’s even easier to underestimate its sheer force. Perhaps melancholy isn’t even the right word; for all its heartbreak, Last Flight Home isn’t sad. It’s everything that comes close to sadness but doesn’t quite touch the edge.

Why Last Flight Home, Ondi Timoner’s heartfelt documentary, is a moving lesson on how to say goodbye