Sully (12/20/2016)

Rated PG-13 for some peril and brief strong language.

Starring Tom Hanks, Aaron Eckhart, Laura Linney and Mike O’Malley

Directed by Clint Eastwood (Million Dollar Baby, Flags of Our Fathers and American Sniper)

This is a powerful film about the amazing events that we now call the “Miracle on the Hudson.”

On January 15, 2009, the world witnessed the incredible events as Captain “Sully” Sullenberger glided his disabled plane onto the frigid waters of the Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 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.

Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger is the real deal and Tom Hanks delivers a performance that I believe Sully would be proud of. In the film we see Sully as humble, strong, funny at times and possessing the highest integrity – a true hero. Aaron Eckhart plays his co-pilot, Jeff Skiles, and although he doesn’t have a lot of screen time, he makes the most of it.

The story that most people know ended on the Hudson that afternoon, but the film sheds a light on the turbulence Sully would face after the landing. We see why some people had problems with Sully heroically defying orders to turn back to LaGuardia on nothing but gut instinct. We see him and Skiles undergo the third degree from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The investigating team questions his decision, based on their data and computer simulations, and a ruling of pilot error would effectively end his career and cost him his pension.

Clint Eastwood masterfully tells the story with intensity and clarity. He portrays Sully and Skiles as men to be honored. We see the entire flight, from lift-off to water landing three times through the course of the film giving the audience a different perspective and the special effects create a real and terrifying experience.

I remember when this happened and loved learning about Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger as a man. This film serves as a great reminder of the events on January 15, 2009 but also shows us what a real hero can look like.

I loved Sully…it’s “Theater Worthy” for sure.

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
There is no sex or nudity in the film. There are some mild scenes of peril as seen after a plane crashes into the river, with shots of the passengers evacuating the plane and waiting to be rescued while standing on the half-sunken aircraft.

There is one f-word and a handful of other profanities.

CONVERSATION STARTER:

1. How would you describe Sully in the cockpit when he was facing a very stressful situation?


2. How do you react when facing stressful situations?

Read Philippians 4:6

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all He has done.


3. How can this verse help us deal with difficult or stressful situations?