Simple heroism, shown wonderfully

Rating: 8/10 (5 February 2017)

It is strange, that in a movie-going landscape where it seems like every movie is at least two and a half hours, to see a movie that leaves you wanting more. "Sully" wastes NO time in getting started with one of the most attention-grabbing opening scenes I've ever witnessed, and when it ends, it's over, with no superfluous denouement.
"Sully" is also a rare movie that uses special effects when they are actually necessary. This is part of what makes them so attention grabbing. You are seeing what did happen and what could have happened, not just where the budget went.
If there is a wrong note in the movie, it's Sully's wife, played by Laura Linney, an immensely gifted actress given nothing to do here but look concerned. You recognise her as an uninteresting staple character immediately: the realisation that it is Linney comes as a shock.
"Sully" does boast a tremendous performance from Hanks, however. He, like the director Clint Eastwood, is more than willing to take a step back and let the simple heroism of the story come to the fore.