‘Sully’ The Rest of the Story

Oscar-winning director Clint Eastwood brings another real life, heroic story to the big screen with Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Village Roadshow Pictures’ drama ‘Sully,’ featuring Oscar winner Tom Hanks as the everyman heroic captain, Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger. This inspiring movie comes to theaters Sept. 9.

Seven years after 9/11, the world witnessed the “Miracle on the Hudson” when Captain “Sully” Sullenberger glided his disabled plane onto the frigid waters of the Hudson River, saving the lives of all 155 aboard. However, as Sully was being honored by the public and the media for his unprecedented feat of aviation skill, an investigation was unfolding that threatened to destroy his reputation and his career.

Sonoma Christian Home interviews the screenwriter, Todd Komarnicki to learn more about the untold story about what happened to Sully after the amazing water landing. SCH Editor-At-Large Dr. Diane Howard reports.

SCH: What drew you to this story?

TK: Warner Bros. Executive, Jonathan Berg, sent me a news clipping on this story and said that I should write the screenplay.

SCH: What are the some of the most significant themes?

TK: Our culture today needs to hear the themes in the movie of the value of the following: hard work, hope, honor, integrity, love, service and more.

SCH: What is inspirational, inspiring about this story?

TK: In the wake of 9/11, seven years earlier, all involved in the New York rescue pulled together.

Heroic plane landing on Hudson River in dramatic movie ‘Sully’ starring Tom Hanks. Photo Courtesy of YouTube movie trailer.

SCH: How is Sully a role model?

TK: He is a hard-working professional, who has been involved in ongoing training for increasingly better safety. He has had ongoing standards of excellence.

SCH: How does the movie relate to today?

TK: It presents hope and good news.

SCH: As you interviewed Sully to find your story in his experiences, what did you find was especially remarkable, outstanding?

TK: In interviews, in his heartbeat, not in his book, I found a treasure trove of wisdom.

SCH: How long did the investigation after the landing last and why?

TK: The investigation lasted 9 months. His case was not settled for 18 months, during which the unresolved “Sword of Damocles” hung over Sully’s head.

Captain “Sully” Sullenberger played by veteran actor Tom Hanks.

SCH: How did he feel during that long period

TK: He felt alone, by himself, isolated.

SCH: Why do you think real stories are important?

TK: Real stories like this can bring good news and hope. Hope is oxygen. There is a hole in the fabric of our lives on which the media generally focuses. We need to see the whole tapestry with a hopeful, whole picture.

SCH: How are Tom Hanks and Sully everymen?

TK: They are everyman or everywoman in that they show that we can all be extraordinary.

Tom Hanks, Aaron Eckhart, and Laura Linney all give outstanding performances. Comic relief throughout is refreshing. Although there are necessary flashbacks, the story keeps moving in intensity and moves towards an unexpected climactic point full of jeopardy and then into a heartwarming turning point and resolution. It is refreshing to see a dangerous airplane story from NYC’s recent history in which no lives were lost. Due to the persistence of Capt. Sullenberger to uncover the truth, no ongoing serious harm is done to anyone.

Although this movie is rated PG-13 for its peril and brief strong language (which diminishes the movie somewhat), it is a feel-good, inspiring movie that has unexpected suspense despite the fact that it ends up presenting good news about a real “everyman” hero. It is wonderful to these types of Tom Hanks, Sully Sullenberger feel-good, good news movies about real everywoman and everyman heroes. Let’s hope that there are more of them.

To find out more about this incredible film, visit Sully Movie

To learn more about the author, visit Diane Howard