Sully (English, 2016)

In spite of being a film that talks about complex machines, computer simulations and technical jargon like ACARS, the human element is never far away. One has to really admire the guts to refrain from milking the audience by having too many melodramatic scenes post the miraculous escape. The serene nature of the whole drama (a Clint Eastwood trait on display) brings out how humanity is still alive from a realistic perspective

There have been innumerable times where we have surrendered to Hanks’ mastery on screen and here is yet another stunning performance. Be it his equation with his wife or the camaraderie with the First Officer or the confused yet determined look that he gives throughout the film – Tom Hanks is just in a league of his own. The scene where he reacts after learning that all the passengers had survived is stuff that acting schools will store as the epitome of underplay

Aaron Eckhart and Laura Linney back Hanks ably by being the emotional support for him. There are multiple occasions where they subtly accept what Hanks is going through rather than adopt a condescending tone

Tom Stern’s camera work overall is terrific. While it is tough to separate the scenes shot naturally from the ones generated by VFX, the watching experience overall (without 3D) is exhilarating. The editor too has done a great job and scenes where the Bird Hit is shown have been cut exceedingly well giving us a sense of the dread felt by those on the plane

Todd Komarnicki’s writing is a huge strength for the film with his simple dialogues (“the most important thing is to smile more” for instance) and non-linear screenplay keeping the audience completely hooked. While it is unfair to praise or put anyone down citing their age, people like Clint Eastwood & Woody Allen representing the 80s-plus lot keep amazing us with these affecting dramas repeatedly. They are certainly worthy of the adulation they receive from around the world

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