A powerful re-creation of a familiar story

Rating: Null/10 (15 September 2016)

How do you make an intense and entertaining movie when you already know just how it is going to end? Trust Clint Eastwood to do just that.
In fact, this is more than just an ordinary plane crash film. It intelligently explores the human elements of the story and the complexities of human emotions.
We all know what happened. In January 2009, our hero pilot Chesley 'Sully' Sullenberger (Tom Hanks), along with co-pilot Jeff Skiles (Aaron Eckhart) made a miraculous emergency water-landing on the Hudson River, saving all passengers and crew on-board. This feat was unprecedented and Sully was hailed as a hero by people all around the world.
The film avoids a one-dimensional characterization of Sully and instead portrays him as just a normal family guy trying to his job. It shows that experiencing such a trauma has its darker consequences, despite its seemingly happy ending.
When it comes to characters battling tough situations and internal struggles, I can't think of anyone else more fitting than Tom Hanks to play them. He doesn't just play them, he transforms into them. He was tremendous as Sully, a man who exudes a raw, quiet resilience, and even without saying a word, you can sense and feel his pain and unrest. His performance is a perfect blend of Sully's audacity and vulnerabilities.
To create conflict and tension, the film needs a villain. In this one, it is the aviation authorities (NTSB). There is bound to be some disagreement there, but it does effectively provide the story with obstacles Sully needs to defeat.
We are sympathetic towards Sully – Hanks is just naturally humble and amiable. We want him to win. He finally admits at the end of the film that he is proud of what he has done. And he should be.