Warner Bros has to be happy, since “Sully” opened Thursday night to a whopping 1.35 million just for Thursday night alone, and is expected to make upwards of 25 million this weekend. Couple that with its soaring social media presence and critical acclaim, the film is positioning itself to be a awards certainty, for the brilliant Tom Hanks, and of course, for the cool, unflappable, icon director Clint Eastwood. For Clint, at the industry screening at the DGA in West Hollywood, it was a family affair. His girlfriend, Christina Sandera and two of his children, Francesca and Scott were there along with Warners Sue Kroll. Scott told me it was his first time seeing the movie. Tom Hanks, Aaron Eckhart, Sully Sullenberger and director Clint Eastwood all then took the stage. Clint called Sully, “the kind of guy you want to see coming on your airplane, because of his history and experience. But after seeing this movie through, you’ll all probably be taking trains for awhile.”
Tom thanked other supporting cast that were there and quipped, “they all have fond memories of the three hours they worked with Clint. Hey he shoots fast.” Capt. Chesley Sullenberger, aka Sully, then thanked his wife Lorrie, to which Clint chimed in, “Laura Linney plays her, she couldn’t be here, but I think she’s the worlds greatest actress.”
Hey Clint, you’re right, and it’s all great. I simply loved this movie. As a native New Yorker, the story resonated so deeply for me in so many ways, with the heroics of all involved restoring my faith in the best of human nature. Hanks, Eastwood, the wonderful Aaron Eckhart and Laura Linney, all are true to the iconic nature of the event and the dark side that accompanied it as well. This film is as memorable as the event itself.
