Sully

THE GIST: Chesley "Sully" Sullenberg is piloting a plane on takeoff when the engines become disabled. Experience tells him he won't be able to make it back to the airport, so he opts to glide the plane over the Hudson River instead, saving everyone on board. Hailed a hero by the public and the media, behind the scenes he has to defend his decision not to head back to the airport when the official investigation seems to be pinning the blame for the accident on him, which would damage his reputation and career.

Sully is a well-executed recreation of the dramatic events that unfolded on live television across the world. Those passengers and crew members really need to count their blessings that such an experienced and skilled pilot was at the controls that day. So many things could have gone wrong.

Tom Hanks does a wonderful job, as usual, leading a cast that includes Aaron Eckhart, Valerie Mahaffey, Mike O'Malley, Jamey Sheridan, Anna Gunn, and the lovely Laura Linney.

THE BOTTOM LINE: A really good drama about an incredible story. Definitely recommended.

Grade: 8