"This is the captain, brace for Impact" Sully Review

Sully

 Directed by: Clint Eastwood

Rated: PG-13

            On January 15th 2009, 100 seconds after leaving LaGuardia airport, U.S. Airways Flight 1549 lost both its engines at a lower altitude than any jet in history. 208 seconds later it made a forced water landing on the Hudson River. 155 people were rescued from the frigid waters. There were no causalities. If not for Captain ‘Sully’ Sullenberger, everyone on board may have died, but could Sully have also saved the jet? Further investigation revealed it might have been possible to land safely back at LaGuardia. Now what does the world think of Sully? What does Sully think of himself? Was it an act of ignorance or heroism?

            Clint Eastwood’s latest biopic depicts these events in a genuine light. Instead of dramatizing or heightening the action, Sully maintains deep focus on its realism and humanity. It is because of this, Sully never feels like a movie. It is a true experience deserving of anyone’s attention, and it’s worth seeing in theatres. From takeoff to splash down, Sully continuously uncovers and opens up the genuine “Miracle on the Hudson”.

            A prominent element in this film is the quality of its actors. Tom Hanks brings heart and life to any film he’s in, and his portrayal of Captain 'Sully' Sullenberger handily deserves a place next to his best roles, such as Chuck Noland, James B. Donovan, and Forrest Gump. An interesting detail in this film is the subtly of Hanks’ interactions with the various characters. He is friendlier with some more than others, but he treats everyone with equally high respect. It is the mark of a great actor when they have the ability to bring out the best in everyone in the scene. On top of this the entire cast portrays their characters with the same honesty that people portray themselves.

            In a film such as Sully it’s easy to glorify the special effects, to focus on the crash itself, bank on the actors doing a spectacular job, and get away with making an average movie. Instead of centering around the incident, Sully makes the daring and admirable choice of keeping its story’s focus on the people It’s about the airport tower team, the crew of the NY Waterway’s “Thomas Jefferson” , and the Red Cross members. All of these people’s lives are illustrated through a screenplay that blends realism and perfectly timed humor, with its epicenter being Captain 'Sully' Sullenberger.

            Sully's visual scope is engrossing. Every frame continuously drew my eyes to the screen. Even the simplistic meetings between Sully and the investigation board are shot with precision and fluidity.  Though audiences already know the ending, the filmmaking and passion behind the scene work keeps them waiting on bated breath. Since it was shot on IMAX cameras, the wider aspect ratio invites viewers into the experience of the landing, and thus magnifies the impact of being able to say “all 155 passengers survived.”

            Although Sully has several aspects working in its favor, there is one setback. It is told in an uncommon nonlinear fashion with past events playing out as memories. These memories are triggered by stimuli, and they can last anywhere from five to twenty minutes. Though the return from memories to present can feel sudden and jarring, it does not take away from the overall feel of the movie, rather it gives Sully a unique aesthetic separating it from other biopics.

            Beyond its spectacular performances, stand out cinematography, and impeccable direction, Sully is truthful. I have listened to the CVR recordings from the cockpit of Flight 1549, and they are verbatim to the dialogue in this film. The main reason Sully is founded in the reality of the events, is because Captain Sullenberger himself was heavily involved in the making of the film. He wrote the autobiography the screenplay is based on, and he was a consultant with Tom Hanks and Clint Eastwood. When a biopic is written about someone who is still alive and they want to be directly involved in the making of the film, the results are worth cherishing. In an interview with CBS This Morning Sullenberger stated “What I really wanted this film to have was a real undercurrent of the importance of our common humanity, and I think it’s there.”

Verdict: Sully features tremendous performances, an impactful screenplay complemented by Clint Eastwood’s brilliant vision, and it's founded in reality and our common humanity.