Film Review: "Sully" (2016).

"The untold story behind the miracle on the Hudson." This is Sully. This biographical drama film directed by Clint Eastwood, written by Todd Komarnicki, and based on the autobiography Highest Duty by Chesley Sullenberger and Jeffrey Zaslow. On Thursday, January 15, 2009, the world witnessed the "Miracle on the Hudson" when pilot Chesley"Sully" Sullenberger glided his disabled plane onto the frigid waters of the Hudson River, saving the lives of all one hundred fifty-five aboard. However, even as Sully was being heralded by the public and the media for his unprecedented feat of aviation skill, an investigation was unfolding that threatened to destroy his reputation and his career.

In 2010, producers Frank Marshall and Allyn Stewart optioned the film rights to Sully's autobiography Highest Duty. They then hired Komarnicki to pen the script. From the start, Sullenberger wanted the film to encompass "that sense of our common humanity", noting that the incident had taken place shortly after the 2008 Great Recession. Komarnicki said the difficulty was not depicting the landing in the river, but the investigation afterwards. By June 2015, it was reported that Tom Hanks was already in talks to play the lead role of Sullenberger. During pre-production, Hanks spent half a day with Sullenberger at his Bay Area house. Sullenberger later expressed how he was impressed with Hanks' portrayal of him. By late September, Aaron Eckhart, Laura Linney, Anna Gunn, Autumn Reeser, Ann Cusack, Holt McCallany, Jamey Sheridan, Jerry Ferrara, Max Adler, Michael Rapaport, Jeff Kober, and Chris Bauer rounded out the film's cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced, and wrapped in late April 2016. Filming took place in the real locations New York City, as well as Atlanta, Los Angeles, North Carolina, New Mexico, and New Jersey. Sullenberger served as a consultant and was present throughout the production. Ferry Captain Vincent Lombardi, who was the Captain of the first ferry to reach the plane, played himself in this movie. The real Detectives Robert Rodriguez and Michael Delaney from the N.Y.P.D. Scuba Team/Air Sea Rescue Unit re-enacted their helicopter jump in New York City. The film was shot almost entirely with Arri Alexa IMAX 65mm cameras.

The film stars Hanks, Eckhart, Linney, Gunn, Reeser, Cusack, McCallany, Sheridan, Ferrara, Adler, Rapaport, Kober, and Bauer. The film provides Hanks with one of his meatiest, most complex roles, and he flies with it. The film segues into a brave performance by Hanks - one of his very best. Not often does a movie character make such a harrowing personal journey that keeps us in deep sympathy all of the way. Hanks should get an Oscar nod for sure: His performance as Sullenberger was heroically epic.

Eastwood makes another triumphant return to form with Sully, a thoughtful and provocative historical study propelled by a compelling performance from Tom Hanks. The infamous crash depicted in the film is one of the most terrifying flight scenes I've ever witnessed. The film is ultimately a vigorous and involving salute to professionalism and people being good at their jobs.

Simon says Sully receives:

Also, see my review for American Sniper.