Review of Sully (2016) by Warwick B — 16 Jan 2017

Clint Eastwood directs Tom Hanks in the retelling of the remarkable true story of pilot Chesley Sullenberger's infamous emergency landing on the Hudson River in 2009 and the ordeal he, and co-pilot Jeff Skiles (Aaron Eckhart) had to endure during the subsequent investigation into the incident that threaten their reputation and careers.

Soon after take-off from La Guardia in New York, United Airlines Flight 1549 hit a flock of geese and lost power in both engines. Deciding he didn't have the height or speed to return to the airport, Sullenberger landed it on the Hudson, saving the lives of all 155 passengers and crew on board. The film is based on Sullenberger?s memoir Highest Duty and makes for another feel good story about American heroism.

The ultimate everyman, Hanks, is perfectly cast as the humble, ordinary hero in Eastwood's vivid docudrama, which is another examination of modern heroism following the startling American Sniper. As in that story, Sully is an ordinary man made extraordinary by his actions. It is Hanks ability to make his characters, in a career filled with extraordinary situations with roles as an astronaut (Apollo 13) and Solder (Saving Private Ryan) that make these men relatable. His portrayal as Sully is not as a fearless, indestructible hero but a man who was just doing his job and relied on his instincts, and is haunted by the question of whether he could have done more. He is superbly aided by Eckhart?s enraged, loyal co-pilot.

As well as the splendid and captivating performances, there is the tense, heart stopping recreation of the forced water landing itself with cutting edge special effects used to recreate the event in astonishing detail. But since the story is only 208 seconds and the audience knows how it plays out, the movie's focus is about what happens afterwards.

It's a timely release for the award season and could make a hell of a splash come the Oscars.