Director: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Tom Hanks, Aaron Eckhart and Anna Gunn
‘A Brilliant Biopic’
Not many actors are as celebrated as Tom Hanks. Since his rise to fame in the 1980’s, Hanks has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s political leaders, tormented soldiers or corrupt managers, Hanks has portrayed a wide variety of characters. Arguably, Hanks’ finest strength as an actor has always been his likability. He is one of those actors which has talent for creating colourful characters that are likeable. Through ability to portray characters which prove compelling, Hanks has built a legacy that’s lasting. Known as America’s Sweetheart, Hanks has created movies that audiences consider to be art. Despite reaching age of retirement, Hanks has never lost his passion for producing engaging entertainment. Throughout his commemorated career, Hanks has starred in several memorable movies which are definitely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Hanks and adore all the films he has made in his career. However, “Sully” is my favourite. Released in 2016, Clint Eastwood’s film offered a powerful tribute towards a heroic captain. Packed with breathtaking production, engaging storytelling and powerful acting, it’s one of the best biopics ever made. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by Tom Hanks, who embodies a celebrated captain seeking to save a doomed plane. Ultimately, what makes “Sully” a brilliant biopic is universal appeal. Unlike most films about real-life events, it tackles compelling themes which everyone would relate to. A breathtaking biopic about a heroic captain, there are many strong reasons why “Sully” is a commemorated movie which is worth watching.
Based on real events, “Sully” tells the true story of a heroic captain that saved a plane from catastrophe. Tom Hanks portrays Sully Sullenberger, a brave captain with a strong dedication towards his profession. Sully is deemed a hero when he miraculously lands his plane on the Hudson River. However, his life forever changes when Sully becomes a centre of an investigation causing disaster. Facing an intense courtroom case, Sully is soon forced to question whether he can be a hero in a world where obstacles prove to be tough to face. Experiencing a dilemma that causes pain, Sully questions whether it’s possible for him to any longer be a pilot of an airplane.
Clint Eastwood has always been fascinated with the themes of heroism. A phenomenal filmmaker, Eastwood has often made great films about heroic figures with brave nature. His movie “Unforgiven” offered an engaging portrait of brave gunslingers whose actions are unforgiven. With “Sully”, however, Clint Eastwood made his first ever biopic about a captain. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to honour a legendary pilot that rescued a doomed airplane from catastrophe but he succeeded tremendously. Using captivating cinematography, Eastwood captures a pilot embarking on a journey to save his doomed plane in tragedy. Evoking Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List”, Eastwood effectively uses handheld camerawork to capture a doomed genocide in history. For instance, handheld camerawork elevates the plane catastrophe scene. During this memorable scene, Sully faces tension when he discovers his plane is going to land in the Hudson. Using stunning handheld camera, Eastwood captures grim tension airplane pilots are facing. Handheld camerawork is a tricky technique. As Steven Spielberg’s “Saving Private Ryan” claimed, handheld camera enhances movies about WWII. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Using strong visuals, Eastwood captures hardships that airplane pilots are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Sully” that merits appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, the movie is very well-made. Inspired with Jim Abrahams’ “Airplane!”, Eastwood effectively uses the production of planes to capture the lives of pilots that face pains. Throughout the film, the airplane is a crucial setting showcasing tensions that pilots are facing. For instance, the production of planes elevates the land scene. During this memorable scene, Sully seeks to evacuate passengers off the plane to its. safety. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Christian Jacob’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film intense atmosphere capturing the burden that airplane pilots bear. Using captivating production, Eastwood illustrated airplanes facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Sully” is a biopic about airline pilots that’s compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses silence to capture lives of airline pilots that are haunted by a tragic incidence. Evoking Richard Attenborough’s “Gandhi”, Eastwood effectively uses silence to capture the lives of airline pilots that are haunted by a frightening life incidence. For instance, silence elevates plane nightmares scene. During this memorable scene, Sully has a tense flashback of his experiences in the airplane landing. Through silence, Clint Eastwood creates a portrait of pilots which audiences can relate to. Silence is a tricky technique to use in most movies. As Robert Zemeckis’ “Cast Away” suggested, silence elevates classic movies about survival. That being said, it works immensely in this movie. Through a fantastic screenplay, Eastwood captures the lives of airplane pilots facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Tom Hanks delivers one of his best career performances as Sully. Hanks first earned appreciation for portraying heartthrobs in celebrated romantic movies. With “Sully”, however, Hanks took on his most complex role. It isn’t simple to portray a legendary pilot that saved doomed airplanes from a catastrophe, but he succeeded immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, riveting and emotional in his most memorable role. Hanks excels at playing American heroes with a charismatic nature, and “Sully” showcased his strength as an actor. With engaging expressions, he captures the ambition, bravery and grief of an airline pilot facing tensions. It’s a strong performance from one of the most beloved actors working today.
While the film is mainly a strong showcase for Tom Hanks, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of recognition. Aaron Eckhart is extraordinary, capturing a smart personality of an airline pilot that strives to rescue a doomed plane tearing lives apart. Anne Gunn is amazing, bringing dedication to a female lawyer that questions whether airline pilots are guilty in courtroom cases causing tension. Lastly, Laura Linnet merits appreciation. As Sully’s concerned wife, she is unforgettable.
Finally, “Sully” would earn the appreciation of everyone for honouring a legendary pilot in American history. Unlike most films about real-life events, it discusses strong themes that everyone would relate to. It tackles bold themes such as angst, courage and mental health which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with history of Sully to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about trauma that will resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Sully” is one of those rare films about airplanes that everyone would adore.
Fans of Tom Hanks would definitely enjoy “Sully” and so would audiences seeking heartfelt entertainment. A riveting biopic, it honours an actor that’s iconic.
Nearly 20 years following the release of an iconic film about a captain that managed to miraculously rescue a doomed airplane, it’s a riveting reminder of a legendary actor that has managed to gain a big fan following by his abilities to portray compelling characters in unforgettable movies that have never lost their abilities to consistently almost always entertain.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 