The idea of a big screen retelling of the story of US Airways pilot Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger’s miraculous Hudson River landing has mawkishly sentimental tripe written all over it, but thankfully Sully for the most part avoids all clichés through a superb cast and subtly restrained direction. The scenes of the landing itself are incredible, but it’s the study of a man coming to terms with his actions in the face of heavy interrogation that provides the film its grounded core. Clint Eastwood’s sure hand as director and a late career gem of a performance from Tom Hanks make this an inspiring yet surprisingly patient retelling.
