Flying Colours: Review of Sully

Sully

Director: Clint Eastwood

By Alex Watson

Flight 1549 surviving the impossible odds in the Hudson River makes for an engrossing experience and Clint Eastwood's Sully is a fascinating look at what it means to be a hero. Tom Hanks' look at the fated Chesley Sullenberger is one of great moral conflict and doubt and Eastwood makes this man out to think of himself as anything but a saviour to the lives of the 155 people he saved. It does also intriguing questions about whether Sully landing the plane in the river was the right move?

Taking off from New York's LaGuardia Airport, U.S Airways flight 11549 hits trouble less than three minutes after taking off when both engines fail after being hit by a flock of birds. Certain they are unable to make either of the nearby airports, Captain Chesley Sullenberger takes the bold move of landing in the Hudson River. Hailed as a hero after saving the lives of all 155 passengers, the investigation of his crash by the NTSB seems determined to prove he was at fault.

In Sully Eastwood is keen to pay homage to the real genius in flying that took and this sequence is breathlessly executed, there is no frantic screaming or panicking in the cockpit, just a pair of experienced flyers keeping a very cool head. His actions may have love letters being written in the press, but Sully is a deeply conflicted man. Throughout he experiences recurring nightmares of fiery deaths that could have occurred. The NTSB seem determined to railroad this man along with his equally heroic co-pilot Jeff Skiles (Aaron Eckhart) and are convinced that the plane's left engine was still operating and they could have safely landed. Smartly Eastwood delays the full reveal of the events of that cold morning on January 15, 2009, and everything we learn we soon begin to distrust. Sully remains convinced this was the right action, but everyone bar Jeff seems to doubt him.

Overwhelmed by both the attention and the possible threat of losing his wings, Sullenberger's explanations and steadfast theories about his crash landing are quickly dismissed. The committee seems to overlook the fact they lost both engines at less than 2800 feet has never happened before "Everything is unprecedented until it happens for the first time!" he dryly explains to his accusers. 40 years flight experience seems to count for nothing here, Sully doesn't want the celebrity which has gone with his selfless act, he simply wants to be proven right. His second-guessing of his actions gives the film a great shadow of doubt and Eastwood puts the judgement firmly at this audience. Was this a brilliant showcase of flying or did he merely luck out? Life at home has become firmly strained and his wife Lorraine (Laura Linney) is beginning to creak under the intense press scrutiny.

Perfectly paced throughout, Sully is a picture that makes you stand up and pay attention. Refreshingly Eastwood stays true to this characters modesty and there are no big or heroic speeches nor is there any huge dramas in between. His final review with the NTSB stubbornly refuses to release big fireworks and prefers the images on the screen to tell it like it really is.  His knowledge of his craft is what really pays the difference and through a meticulous and determined plea, he is able to swing things in his favour. This movie is a wonderful character study of what can come from doing what is right. Saving the lives of people still comes at a price and both Eastwood and Hanks never once overly glorify this character. This piece is also a tribute to the combined fast response times of New York's finest which just shows that coming together can sometimes mean everything.

Tom Hanks is very much the glowing heart of the picture through his well measured and understated turn he holds the screen with vigour. Effortlessly playing the everyman turned possible pariah, Hanks' channelling of his inner conflict is magnificent to watch. Sullenberger is a man who is beginning to wilt under the spotlight and badly wants his actions to be justified. His refusal to simply given and admit fault gives his character a wonderful determination and makes us want him all the more to be cleared. Aaron Eckhart also holds up well as Jeff Skiles and provides a strong presence alongside Hanks and is very much the one positive voice he hears. During the crash scenes, Eckhart shines brightly as he lets Skiles experience speak for itself and would very much be the man you wish have next to you in the cockpit.

Sully is a picture that deserves awards consideration if only for Hanks alone and this is one of the more enticing character studies during this awards season. Also by the time Clint has finished, you will know exactly how to crash land a plane.