Based on the real-life account of US Airways pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger's "Miracle on the Hudson" landing in 2009, the film stars Tom Hanks as the eponymous hero who, despite saving all 155 souls on board his disabled passenger jet, found his career in jeopardy during the subsequent National Transportation Safety Board investigation.
We experience the events leading to the "forced water landing" through pilot recollection and NTSB simulations, leaving no detail unturned as professionals sift through all the conditions and variables. It's technical, sure, but effectively engaging.
As far as learning a little more about the man, we're afforded two quick glimpses into Sullenberger's life: a flight lesson as a teenager and a harrowing landing as an Air Force pilot. Other than a few interactions via phone with his wife (Laura Linney), we really glean nothing as far as character background. It's pretty apparent Eastwood feels the 208 seconds of Sullenberger's miraculous flight are all the insight we need.
Hanks is quietly effective as Sullenberger: cool, calm and professional. Aaron Eckhart offers some levity as Sullenberger's co-pilot and Anna Gunn provides a few nice moments as a NTSB member.
Tightly crafted at just ninety-six minutes with credits, Sully is well acted and engaging, but with little to no characterization, it comes off as nothing more than a big-budget TV dramatization without commercials.
Grade: B
