Sully

The movie 'Sully' is a biographical drama directed by Clint Eastwood, based on the 2009 book 'Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters' by Captain Chesley Sullenberger III, also known as Sully. The film explores the events surrounding the Miracle on the Hudson, also known as Flight 1549's ditching in the Hudson River on January 15, 2009, and the subsequent National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation that followed. The movie begins with an aerial view of New York City, before cutting to a commercial airliner - US Airways Flight 1549, flown by Captain Sully (Tom Hanks), co-pilot Jeff Skiles (Aaron Eckhart), and first officer Rebecca Shaw (Laura Linney). Just minutes after taking off from LaGuardia Airport, the plane hits a flock of geese, causing both engines to fail. Captain Sully is put to the test as he has to decide quickly on the best course of action to ensure the safety of the passengers and crew on board. With the crew's initial assessment that both engines had failed, Captain Sully quickly assesses the situation, and, with his vast experience as a pilot, decides to glide the plane towards the Hudson River to increase the chances of a safe emergency landing. Meanwhile, the air traffic controller, Patrick Hayes (Mike O'Malley), tries to assist Captain Sully by directing him towards an available airport, but Sully is aware of the risks involved and sticks to his plan, considering it as the most feasible option to save all lives on board. In a heart-pounding sequence, the plane lands safely on the river's surface, thanks to Captain Sully's remarkable piloting skills. Passengers frantically escape through the emergency exits as the crew helps evacuate those needing assistance. As the news of the miracle spread rapidly, Captain Sully becomes an overnight sensation, receiving widespread acclaim for his heroic actions. However, this attention comes with consequences, as the NTSB launches an investigation to determine the probable cause of the accident and the reason behind the failure of both engines. The investigation team, led by Bill Comstock (Casey Walker), sets out to analyze the events that led to the crash, focusing on possible human errors. Under intense scrutiny and media pressure, Captain Sully is questioned about his decision to ditch the plane in the river instead of attempting to landing in one of the nearby airports. The NTSB's findings suggest that both engines had failed, which implies that Captain Sully's choice was perhaps the only viable option to ensure a safe landing. However, the pressure to find a human error or lapse in judgment becomes too much to bear for the investigators, and they start targeting Captain Sully's handling of the situation and his decision-making. The crew members also start questioning themselves, and their confidence in Captain Sully begins to waver. In a series of tense confrontations with the investigators and crew members, Captain Sully faces intense scrutiny, as it's suggested that he acted rashly and possibly erred in his decision. As the investigation unfolds, the media continues to scrutinize Captain Sully, labeling him 'The Miracle Man,' but with a negative connotation. This intense media scrutiny causes his reputation to be tarnished, and the pressure on him from family, colleagues, and himself becomes overwhelming. Despite being portrayed as a hero publicly, Captain Sully's personal struggle becomes evident. As the investigation continues to probe deeper into the events, the NTSB discovers that a likely cause of the accident was indeed the ingestion of geese into the engines. With this evidence in hand, the investigators finally conclude that the accident was not due to human error but rather a catastrophic event. However, the media's portrayal of Captain Sully's actions doesn't match the new information, and the public image of the Miracle Man remains tarnished. In a poignant scene that showcases the human dimension of the crisis, Captain Sully confronts his colleagues who doubted his decision-making skills. He finally opens up to the press about his thoughts during the emergency, revealing his inner turmoil during that crucial moment. Despite still facing skepticism and doubts about his actions, Captain Sully emerges as a hero who chose to save the lives of his passengers, a courageous act that defined the Miracle on the Hudson and cemented his place in history.