By Bernie ‘The Movie Guy’ Ment
Contributing Writer
Every once in a while, along comes a must-see movie that manages to flesh out details of a story that we thought we knew everything about. This movie is a perfect case in point.
Directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Tom Hanks as Chesley Sullenberg, the movie recounts the events that occurred on Jan. 15, 2009 when a U.S. Airways flight struck a flock of birds and was subsequently forced to land on the Hudson River. Miraculously, all 155 passengers and crew members survived.
The forensics of the flight are not in dispute and Eastwood does a remarkable job of showing the events in a crystal clear manner that unfold in bits and pieces throughout the movie.
But there is much more to this story, including the feelings and reflections of the survivors that we are treated with more than a glimpse of as we see the nightmares that haunt Sully as he comes to grips with the events and his perceived heroism.
The film also delves into the NTSB investigation that ensued afterward and the witch hunt that Sully endures as the investigators try to find fault with the veteran pilot’s actions.
Despite their attempts to sully (pun intended) the good man’s reputation, the investigation discovers that when the choices were indeed limited, Sully’s reactions were truly what saved the plane and the people on board.
Hanks has a talent for making any character likable even in the most adverse circumstances. He is capable of making any man a hero but with a humility that keeps the characters he plays grounded in such a way that we cheer him on and pat him on the back even when he eschews the praise.
Add to that Clint Eastwood’s talent for finding true pathos in every action and scene and stretching it for everyone to see and absorb. Here he palpably recreates the fear of the crash and the elation of the survival and the immense gratitude felt by the public for the pilot’s incredible heroism on that fateful day.
As one character prophetically remarks, “It’s been a long time since New Yorkers have cheered about news involving an aircraft.” Interestingly enough, the movie was released on the 9/11 weekend.
Eastwood also has a talent for casting and even beyond Hanks, the actors manage to convey their roles and motivations with a strength not always seen on the big screen.
Aaron Eckhart plays the first officer of the aircraft, playing second fiddle to Hanks’ virtuoso performance that should nab him an award or two this year. And even though his character shadows Hanks, he gets in a zinger or two and even the movie’s last laugh.
Conversely, Mike O’Malley brings a sinister edge to the lead NTSB investigator who seems to be looking for flaws in the recount of the incident with a zeal unmatched by characters in this type of story. Fortunately, his character is still grounded in reality and we get a glimpse of his humanity near the end of the investigation.
September is generally not the time of year you would expect the release of a movie like this, but I’d say the timing is apt. With a glut of compelling movies for the next month or so, this story should hang on for several months in the theater as the buzz accelerates and viewers encourage their friends to go see this remarkable film.
It’s not often, but I give THIS September release a resounding and well deserved five out of five stars.
