Much like with his last film, American Sniper, Eastwood is trying to portray the everyman. However, Sully is no Chris Kyle. He's someone who doesn't hunt for danger but rather an ordinary man who found himself in the worst of situations, that made him have 155 people's lives in his hand. Half the film is dedicated to the actual "Miracle on the Hudson" and the other half documents the media representation and the inquiry from the National Safety Transportation Board.
As always, Eastwood gets the best out of his performers. Tom Hanks is brilliant as always, both calm but also engaging in his delivery (his final speech. There's very few actors who can portray people like this but Hanks is one of them. Its a welcome return for the actor after the godawful Inferno. The other standout is Aaron Eckhart as Sully's first officer who delivers most of the comedic relief Some of the supporting characters I did feel were not developed enough fully such as Sully' wife (Laura Linney) who seem slightly shoved in, without a lot of depth to be had to them. But as a film called Sully, is there much more that needs to be added to any of the other characters when the film needs to dedicate time to its title character.
The movie is a very short sit at just 90 minutes long, which some may feel is too brief but I think it works in the film's benefit. Primarily, a story like this could've dragged on too long but Eastwood keeps it concise and interesting The film's biggest flaw is perhaps through its editing. I almost think the film would've worked better as a traditional, chronological narrative rather than focusing on flashbacks. Some scenes also feel slightly out of place, especially the ones that focus on Sully's younger, flying days. The movie is not something I would sit through again, perhaps as there's not much to be rediscovered but it does deliver an interesting and engaging enough story to make it worth a watch.
As always, Eastwood gets the best out of his performers. Tom Hanks is brilliant as always, both calm but also engaging in his delivery (his final speech. There's very few actors who can portray people like this but Hanks is one of them. Its a welcome return for the actor after the godawful Inferno. The other standout is Aaron Eckhart as Sully's first officer who delivers most of the comedic relief Some of the supporting characters I did feel were not developed enough fully such as Sully' wife (Laura Linney) who seem slightly shoved in, without a lot of depth to be had to them. But as a film called Sully, is there much more that needs to be added to any of the other characters when the film needs to dedicate time to its title character.
The movie is a very short sit at just 90 minutes long, which some may feel is too brief but I think it works in the film's benefit. Primarily, a story like this could've dragged on too long but Eastwood keeps it concise and interesting The film's biggest flaw is perhaps through its editing. I almost think the film would've worked better as a traditional, chronological narrative rather than focusing on flashbacks. Some scenes also feel slightly out of place, especially the ones that focus on Sully's younger, flying days. The movie is not something I would sit through again, perhaps as there's not much to be rediscovered but it does deliver an interesting and engaging enough story to make it worth a watch.