Movies based on true historical events walk a tightrope, especially when the event is etched in recent memory. Director Clint Eastwood and Warner Brothers took on this challenge with Sully (PG-13), a film about the “Miracle on the Hudson.” Despite the event occurring just seven years prior, they delivered a compelling and surprisingly insightful movie.
Sully stands out as one of the year’s best, revealing unexpected layers of heroism in Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, portrayed by Tom Hanks. The film recounts the incredible landing of U.S. Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River after a bird strike disabled both engines. Miraculously, all 155 souls aboard survived. While the heroic event of January 15, 2009, was widely publicized, the movie uncovers the untold story behind the headlines.
The film delves into Sully’s private doubts and fears. He grappled with the decision to land on the river, questioning if he should have attempted to reach an airport, potentially endangering passengers. These doubts manifested as nightmares of catastrophic plane crashes. He also worried about the incident’s impact on his career, retirement, and family’s financial security.
While the movie portrays the National Transportation Safety Board officials as antagonists, some former NTSB employees have noted that Sullenberger actually received high marks from the agency. Sullenberger maintains that the film accurately reflects his personal experience and memories of the events.
Historical accuracy aside, Sully is a cinematic achievement from both entertainment and inspirational viewpoints. Eastwood and his team have crafted a powerful narrative. For families considering watching Sully, the question remains: is it truly family-friendly? Let’s explore the elements that make this movie suitable, and potentially unsuitable, for family viewing.
What Makes Sully a Great Movie for Families?
In a world often lacking in genuine heroes, Sully presents a real-life figure worthy of admiration. Even if the concept of “hero worship” is debated, the on-screen portrayal of Sullenberger embodies admirable qualities. His humility shines through as he consistently credits his crew and others for the successful landing. His selflessness is evident in his unwavering commitment to ensure every passenger evacuated safely before leaving the plane himself, and his relief upon learning of everyone’s survival. Furthermore, his deep bond with and devotion to his wife forms a significant emotional core of the film. His immediate call to his wife from the life raft, declaring “I love you and I’m OK,” and his later reaffirmation of his commitment to her when a fan jokingly offers an introduction to a single woman, highlight this central theme.
Hanks delivers a stellar performance as Sully, matched by Aaron Eckhart as his co-pilot, Jeff Skiles. Their on-screen chemistry and believable portrayal of professional pilots enhance the film’s authenticity.
The cockpit scenes are remarkably realistic, setting a new standard for aviation accuracy in film. This attention to detail immerses viewers in the tense and critical moments of the flight.
Sully movie poster featuring Tom Hanks as Captain Sully Sullenberger
Potential Concerns for Younger Viewers
Despite its many positive aspects, Sully may present some challenges for younger or more sensitive viewers. While the film avoids explicit sexuality and graphic violence, and the water landing is depicted without bloodshed (contrary to the real event which involved some injuries), certain scenes could be upsetting for children. Specifically, the depiction of the plane falling from the sky and Sully’s nightmares of planes crashing into buildings could be disturbing and frightening for some children.
The film also contains some coarse language, with approximately 17 instances of mild profanity, although it avoids taking the Lord’s name in vain. While relatively minor compared to many contemporary films, the language might be a consideration for families particularly sensitive to such content.
Life Lessons from Sully for Family Discussion
Sully offers rich opportunities for family discussions about important life values. While not explicitly a faith-based movie, Sullenberger’s actions resonate with biblical principles.
His willingness to prioritize the lives of others above his own is powerfully depicted. Amidst the chaos of the sinking plane, he moves towards danger to assist passengers, even providing his own clothing for warmth. He is the last person to leave the aircraft, echoing the sentiment of John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” This provides a strong talking point about self-sacrifice and compassion.
The film also provides a valuable lesson in humility and resilience. Families can discuss how Sully navigates both public praise and professional scrutiny. His steadfast humility and refusal to retaliate against his critics offer a positive example of handling adversity and recognition.
Another key takeaway is the idea that a lifetime can be profoundly shaped by a single moment. Sully’s reflection, “I’m going to be judged on 208 seconds,” highlights the weight of critical decisions. For him, this moment became a defining triumph. This can spark conversations about choices, consequences, and the impact of our actions.
Finally, the film subtly hints at the concept of real-life miracles and divine providence. The improbable survival of all passengers invites reflection on events that defy explanation, prompting discussions about faith and the possibility of unseen forces at play.
Family-Friendly Verdict
Sully is likely to be considered family-friendly by many parents, particularly those with teenagers. The absence of sexual content, graphic violence, and relatively limited coarse language compared to other PG-13 movies make it a reasonable choice for older families. If your children are teenagers, Sully is likely a worthwhile movie to watch together.
However, for families with younger children, particularly those under 13, caution is advised. The intense scenes of plane malfunction and crashes, even in nightmares, could be genuinely frightening for younger viewers, especially those who fly or have family members who fly. The mild language also might be a factor for some families. The PG-13 rating is appropriately assigned, reflecting these considerations.
Entertainment Rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Family-Friendly Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.
Sully is rated PG-13 for some peril and brief strong language.
Language: Sh– (7), h— (4), da– (2), a– (1), ba—d (1) SOB (1), OMG (1)
Sexuality: None
Violence: None. The plane lands in the river, although it is bloodless.
