GO! To the Movies: A ‘Miracle’ Examined
It was a cold winter’s day on Jan. 15, 2009 when Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger successfully executed an emergency landing in the Hudson River after losing both engines during takeoff from New York’s LaGuardia Airport.
All 155 souls aboard the plane survived, and the ordeal was dubbed “The Miracle on the Hudson.”
The story of the landing and the aftermath have been made into the film “Sully” that is in theaters this weekend.
Tom Hanks (“Forest Gump” and “The Da Vinci Code”) stars as Sullenberger and Laura Linney ( “The Truman Show” and “Mystic River”) portrays his wife Lorraine Sullenberger who helps him navigate the his PTSD and the investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Standing by his side during much of the investigation was his co-pilot Jeff Skiles (Aaron Eckhart, “The Dark Knight” and “Battle Los Angeles”). The film is under the direction of Clint Eastwood (“American Sniper” and “Million Dollar Baby”).
While many were revering Sully as a hero for his actions and calm demeanor in the face of danger, NTSB was launching an investigation into Sullenberger and his career. This film portrays this side of things that was not in the public eye.
In a release by Sullenberger, forwarded by Warner Bros., he said he on board with the film.
“The story being told came from my experiences, and reflects the many challenges that I faced and successfully overcame both during and after the flight,” he said in the statement.
“I was involved in the development and am thrilled it’s being brought to the screen by master filmmaker Clint Eastwood, starring Tom Hanks.”
The film is rated PG-13 for some peril and brief strong language.
Other films coming to theaters this weekend include:
n “The Disappointments Room” starring Kate Beckinsale, Lucas Till and Michaela Conlin and directed by D.J. Caruso in this horror film about a family that buys a house in the south in the hopes of starting a new life only to discover the house has a terrible secret.
The film is rated R for violent content, bloody images, some sexuality and language.
n “The Wild Life” starring the voices of Matthias Schweighofer, Kaya Yanar and Ilka Bessin and directed by Vincent Kesterloot and Ben Stassen in this animated comedy about the tale of Robinson Crusoe as told form a parrot’s perspective.
The film is rated PG for mild action/peril and some rude humor.
n “When the Bough Breaks” starring Morris Chestnut, Regina Hall and Romany Malco and directed by Jon Cassar in this thriller about a woman who is acting as a surrogate for a couple when she becomes obsessed with the father-to-be.
The film is rated PG-13 for violence, sexuality/partial nudity, thematic elements, some disturbing images and language.
n “Other People” starring Jesse Plemons, Bradley Whitford and Molly Shannon and directed by Chris Kelly in this comedy/drama about a struggling comedic writer, who in the middle of the worst year of his life, comes back home to care for his mother who is dying of cancer.
The film is currently unrated.