Sully - Film meaning specialist review

Rating: 9/10 (8 September 2016)

Film Meaning Specialists focus on "meaning" or the "moral in the story". Good films typically have high levels of meaning for audiences. Our job is to extract that meaning out so you get as much value from watching a film as possible.
We identified 11 core meanings within Sully. Some messages are more significant than others, but all of them worth commenting on.
** Spoiler Alert: Film meanings require a description of the plot and film outcomes to contextualise. If you want to be surprised by a film, read this after a film. If you want to be enlightened by a film, read it before watching it. **
Message #1: Distraction is dangerous
At the start of the film, Sully is jogging, his mind full of thoughts and concerns. He is almost killed (run over) by a cab (taxi) driver. He is unharmed, but it could have been a serious accident. In "Me Before You", the central character crossed the road distracted and was hit by a motorcycle. He ended up disabled and flew to Europe to commit assisted suicide. Moral: When you are distracted you are in danger. Pay attention.
Message #2: Sensational stories create overwhelming media attention
Sully landing safely on water with none of the 155 in the plane dying was unheard of. In fact, before the landing, it's obvious that water landings mean death to everyone on the plane. The sensational nature of this story creates media attention that is overwhelming for Sully and his family. The degree of attention increases as time progresses. Moral: Once in the media spotlight for something significantly newsworthy, expect the spotlight to brighten to overwhelming levels.
Message 3: Keep going and maintain focus
Sully has a flashback to when he was young. He receives sage advice, "Never forget that no matter what is happening fly the air plane." Moral: No matter how problematic things get, keep focus on what you are doing, and keep going. Don't panic, get distracted or give up. Don't stop. Keep going.
Message 4: Life's work at risk from 1 action
If Sully was investigated and found negligent, it would mean that his consulting business and his profession as a pilot would be over. Not only that he would lose his pension and be fired immediately. Moral: Sometimes we face events that could destroy our future. See what happens. It may not be as bad as you think.
Message 5: Be committed
Sully was the last off the plane, painstakingly checking that everyone was safely evacuated. Moral: Commitment is doing your job from the start to the finish without gaps in between.
Message 6: Are all 155 accounted for?
Sully needed to know all 155 were safe as survivors were taken by multiple ferries to multiple locations. Moral: Know what you are accountable for.
Message 7: Last one on the rescue boat
Sully was the last one on the rescue boat due to his commitment (Message 5) and accountability (Message 6). Moral: When you are a leader commitment and accountability are how you show leadership.
Message 8: When facing death, the 1st call is to family
When people thought they were going to die they reached out to their families and loved ones. They didn't call their work and say they may not be in tomorrow. Moral: What really matters becomes obvious in times of crisis but is often ignored in good times. Reach out and let the ones you love know them before a crisis.
Message 9: Question the evidence
A brilliant message was how Sully refuted "evidence" that if left unchallenged would have seen his life fall to pieces (Message 4). He questioned the evidence, found it lacking for numerous reasons and created reasonable doubt. His attack on the validity of the evidence saved his career. Moral: When people use evidence against you, refute it based on logic, fairness and reasonableness.
Message 10: Exert control: I need a quick break
Sully exerted control. In a room full of what looked to be 100 people where he was being questioned in an adversarial way. He said, "I need a quick break" and left the room with his copilot. He was letting the gravity and weight of the refuted evidence impact the people judging him. It was a masterful stroke of negotiating. Moral: In an adversarial encounter find a way to take control and slow down or stop the attacking side's momentum.
Message 11: Share credit
At the end of the film Sully is found to have acted in with the highest possible skills levels. A previously adversarial opponent, becomes a supporter and praises Sully as the only reason that the 155 people lived. Sully refutes that and shares all the credit with his co-pilot, the stewardesses, the crew, the many rescuers and more. Moral: Victory, nor defeat, is never ours alone. Many people are involved. Share credit lavishly - because that is real.
Ken Standfield is a film meaning specialist who explores and shares the ideas, concepts, morals and messages in films to assist audiences get the maximum value possible out of the investment they make in watching movies. See more reviews on filmmeaningspecialist.com