Sully is a 2016 drama film based on a true event that took place on January 15, 2009. The film centers on veteran pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, who successfully lands a malfunctioning passenger plane on the Hudson River, saving the lives of 155 passengers. Directed by Clint Eastwood, the film stars Tom Hanks in the lead role. It is adapted from the book Highest Duty, written by Sullenberger and Jeffrey Zaslow.

Plot

The film recounts the events of US Airways Flight 1549, which, shortly after taking off from New York on January 15, 2009, strikes a flock of birds, causing both engines to fail. Pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger manages to land the aircraft safely on the Hudson River, saving all 155 people on board. Despite the successful water landing, Sully and co-pilot Jeff Skiles come under intense scrutiny from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The investigation suggests that the plane could have safely returned to an airport, forcing Sully and Skiles to defend their decision.

^{Official Trailer Sully (Warner Bros)}

Themes

Sully focuses on heroism, human error, decision-making, and the consequences of choices made in times of crisis. The film explores how society and the media can quickly declare someone a hero while official authorities may simultaneously question that heroism. The main themes shaping the film include human psychology, ethical decision-making, and leadership under pressure.

Cast and Characters

• Tom Hanks as Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger
• Aaron Eckhart as First Officer Jeff Skiles
• Laura Linney as Lorrie Sullenberger, Sully’s wife
• Anna Gunn as Dr. Elizabeth Davis
• Autumn Reeser as Tess Soza
• Jerry Ferrara as Michael Delaney
• Sam Huntington as Jeff Kolodjay
• Holt McCallany as Mike Cleary

Awards and Nominations

Sully received numerous nominations and awards at various ceremonies:

• Academy Award Nomination: Best Sound Editing
• Critics Choice Awards: Nominations for Best Picture, Best Actor (Tom Hanks), Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Editing
• Cinema Audio Society Awards: Nomination for Sound Mixing
• Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association: Tom Hanks nominated for Best Actor
• Satellite Awards: Nominations for Best Actor (Tom Hanks), Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Visual Effects
• Hollywood Film Awards: Tom Hanks won Actor of the Year
• Japan Academy Prize: Won Best Foreign Film
• National Board of Review: Listed among the Top Ten Films of the Year
• AFI Awards: Selected as Movie of the Year

Additionally, the film received various nominations and awards in categories such as sound editing, visual effects, editing, and acting across numerous festivals and organizations.

Significance of the Film

Sully brings a real-life event to the big screen in a dramatic and impactful way. The film not only recounts an aviation accident and miraculous survival story but also highlights the importance of individual decision-making during crises and the ethical, psychological, and social impacts of those decisions. Through Chesley Sullenberger’s leadership and professionalism, the film conveys themes of human resilience and courage. Sully is considered one of the significant works in the careers of both director Clint Eastwood and actor Tom Hanks.