Often the most incredible stories are based on fact.
The ‘I can’t believe that actually happened?’ motif goes into overdrive when
hearing something spectacular. ‘Sully’ benefits from an amazing tale
right out of a fictional story. How and why it happened and its aftermath
has become stuff of recent legend. Under the usual steady hand of
director Clint Eastwood, ‘Sully’ uncoils the true drama of a flight to danger
no one could have foreseen.
In 2009, commercial airline pilot Captain Chesley ‘Sully’
Sullenberger (Tom Hanks) is doing his usual plane take-off. Three minutes
into the flight, trouble arises when a pack of geese fly into the plane destroying
its engines. With the plane in free-fall and nowhere to land, Sully pilots
the plane into the Hudson River. Managing to avert disaster and saving
the passengers, he is hailed a hero. That is only the beginning of his journey
with the media ready to pounce on his reputation and all he holds dear.
Under Eastwood unobtrusive direction, ‘Sully’ becomes almost
an intimate affair. That may sound ridiculous given its story but it
effectively manages to delve into what drove Sully’s actions. He isn’t
presented as a Christ-like saint, but an ordinary guy thrust into a bizarre
situation. How he handles the ensuing fame and accusations of those in
power tests his steely resolve. Tom Hanks turns in his usually reliable
performance as an every-man doing his best to come to grips with what occurred.
Although the narrative occasionally meanders, Eastwood
ensures the facts are easily presented. There are no true heroes or
villains here, just people attempting to make sense of a strange event.
The CGI works wonder in recreating what happened, making the story more
impactful. It is never less than gripping with moments of wry humour and
pathos blending well with the dramatic tension.
Wisely keeping the story within a brisk run-time, ‘Sully’ is
another fine production from Eastwood. It’s nice seeing a more realistic
take on heroism and all it entails. Recent history has offered many
amazing stories with ‘Sully’ deftly examining one of them.
Movie Review Rating out of 10: 7
Movie Review by Patrick Moore
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